DISClaimer Single Reviews: Ashley McBryde Shares Her ‘Heart-Stopping Listening Experience’
Happy Leap Year Day.
This only happens every four years, but thank goodness Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Jordan Davis and Kameron Marlowe don’t wait that long between releases. All of them shine on this week’s playlist.
So do such and up-and-comers as Erin Kirby and Emily Ann Roberts. Along with Brice, they were contenders for the Disc of the Day award. But it goes to a woman who has always been a superstar in my eyes, Ashley McBryde.
This week’s DISCovery Award winner is new Nashvillian Thunderstorm Artis. Welcome, bro.
ERIN KIRBY / “Pick My Own Flowers”
Writers: Erin Kirby/Phil Barton/Thomas Finchum; Producer: Frank Legeay; Label: InDent
– I encountered this youngster’s music at a Song Suffragettes showcase this week. Her new single is a slap of country soul. Her fiery vocal essays an independent-woman lyric that hits a homerun. This scores huge in both the writing and the performance departments.
DIERKS BENTLEY / “American Girl”
Writer: Tom Petty; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: Valory
– This is the lead track from Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty. Unlike so many country “tributes” to pop acts, this one makes a great deal of sense. Petty was always kinda “country” to my ears, and Bentley’s rocking, fiddle-and-banjo bedecked arrangement of this 1994 classic supports that opinion. The sound and the song are splendid.
GEORGE BIRGE / “Cowboy Songs”
Writers: Michael Tyler/George Birge/Lalo Guzman/Matt McGinn; Producers: Lalo Guzman/Matt McGinn; Label: RECORDS Nashville
– Birge has landed a slot on this year’s CRS New Faces showcase, thanks to his breakout hit “Mind On You.” That song’s follow-up is a moody, mid-tempo swirl of sound. He yearns for a gal who only dances to hardcore country tunes, especially Waylon. The mix wisely underplays the electric-rock instrumentation in favor of his earnest vocal.
LEE BRICE & FOR KING & COUNTRY / “Checking In”
Writers: Garrett Jacobs/Kenneth Cooper Hart/Michael Farren; Producer: Ben Glover; Label: Curb Records
– Heart-tugging and tearful, this beautifully written ballad explores the pain and regret of a father-son relationship. They leave phone messages for one another, but don’t connect often enough. Now it’s too late, because the dad has passed and the son aches for that communication. From the soundtrack of an upcoming movie titled Unsung Hero.
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS & MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Space In My Heart”
Writers: Simon Wilcox/Carlos Paucar/Enrique Iglesias/Nolan Lambroza/Ross Golan; Producers: Carlos Paucar/Mark Taylor; Label: Sony Music Latin
– The King of Latin Pop meets the most awarded ACM artist in history on this gorgeous, romantic, lilting little piece of heaven. The love song’s airy production is just beautiful, and their two voices sound like a country match of perfection. “There’s a space in my heart, and it’s just your shape,” they sigh together. Absolutely play this.
KENNY CHESNEY / “Thinkin’ Bout”
Writers: Kyle Fishman/Tucker Beathard; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; Label: Blue Chair Records/Warner Music Nashville
– It’s time to let go of the relationship, but it sure is hard. Chesney dips into his baritone register for most of the outing, which gives this a smooth, dreamy and contemplative vibe. Drowsy listening.
EMILY ANN ROBERTS / “Devils Wears Denim”
Writers: Autumn McEntire/Emily Ann Roberts/Trent Willmon; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Starstruck Records
– I love country story songs, especially the dark ones. She falls for a devastatingly handsome cowboy who turns out to be a venomous bigamist. When she discovers his duplicity, he mysteriously vanishes. Daddy taught her how to bury a snake, it seems. Roberts delivers it in her east Tennessee drawl that is utterly captivating. This charmer is a richly deserving addition to this year’s CMT Next Women of Country cast.
KAMERON MARLOWE / “Quit You”
Writers: James McNair/John Pierce/Kameron Marlowe; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Columbia Nashville
– He kicks cigarettes and cuts back on his drinking because now he’s addicted to her. His hearty voice exudes love and warmth throughout this performance. Yet another demonstration of why Marlowe remains one of my ultra favorite young male country voices.
THUNDERSTORM ARTIS / “Don’t Let Me Let You Go”
Writers: Dakota Striplin/Phoebe Kathleen Scott/Thunderstorm Artis; Producer: Mykyl; Label: Thunderstorm Artis
– His gripping, passionate, raspy tenor voice is instantly ear catching. There’s an R&B flavor to this conflicted-love ballad that builds from a light whisper to a searing, powerful shout. Promising in the extreme. Please send more. Artis is a veteran of The Voice TV competition.
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “The Devil I Know”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Bobby Pinson/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– I reviewed this nearly a year ago as the title tune of her album. Now it is her new single, so those words bear repeating: “Snarling electric guitar, slapped percussion, nervous acoustic strumming, chant-like support vocals and wild audio frothing make this a heart-stopping listening experience. The lyric is just as riveting—she’s a bar fly who resists changing her wayward ways. This woman rules.” I love it that she was introduced at Warner’s CRS showcase yesterday as, “The incomparable Ashley McBryde.” Amen to that.
DOLLY PARTON & MELISSA MANCHESTER / “Midnight Blue”
Writers: Melissa Manchester/Carole Bayer Sager; Producer: Melissa Manchester; Label: Green Hill Productions
– Manchester’s 1975 classic gets a fabulous revival thanks to extraordinary harmonic embellishments by Parton. Enchanting from first note to last. There’s also a music video. Miss this audio delight at your peril.
JORDAN DAVIS / “Good News Sold”
Writers: Cole Taylor/Jacob Davis/Jordan Rowe; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– Wistful and thoughtful. “If good news sold, things wouldn’t seem so bad,” he sings in a hushed, sweet manner. This award-winning man always turns in quality work.
- DISClaimer Single Reviews: Unearthed Johnny Cash Track Is ‘Hearty And Satisfying’ - April 25, 2024
- DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kameron Marlowe Brings Soulful Voice To Ballad - April 18, 2024
- Bucky Wilkin Of Ronny & The Daytonas Passes - April 15, 2024