DISClaimer Single Reviews: Beyoncé ‘Summons You To The Country Dance Floor’

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Beyoncé

The single that is on everyone’s tongue this week is also DISClaimer’s Disc of the Day. That would be Beyonce’s bopper.

Black country women are in the spotlight in general this week, as the column also notes efforts by Autumn Nichols, the esteemed Joy Oladokun and our DISCovery Award winner, Camille Parker.

But be sure and save some listening time for Priscilla Block, Tracy Lawrence, Allie Colleen and Bailey Zimmerman. They’re bringing their “A” game, too.

MATT STELL/ “Born Lonely”
Writers: Benjy Davis/Jake Mitchell/Matt Stell; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Records Nashville/Columbia
– To join his radio favorite “Breakin’ in Boots” in welcoming 2024, this former chart topper has issued this track and its new music video. The lyric traces the inability to fall in love, the persistence of heartbreak and psychic wounds that won’t heal. The only comfort is that she has those same feelings and that maybe they belong together. As always, he is a solid vocal communicator.

BEYONCÉ/ “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Writers: Beyoncé/Brian Bates/Elizabeth Lowell Boland/Megan Bülow/Nate Ferraro/Raphael Saadiq; Producers: Beyoncé/Raphael Saadiq/Nate Ferraro/Killah B/Hit-Boy/Stuart White.Mariel Gomerez; Label: Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia
– Queen Bey summons you to the country dancefloor, and you dare not refuse. The beats are irresistible, the tune is catchy and the vibe is fun, fun, fun. A much deserved smash.

REDFERRIN/ “Lose Her For Nothin’”
Writers: Blake Redferrin/Cooper Bascom/Rose Falcon; Producers: Cooper Bascom/Redferrin; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This downbeat, moody jam puts a loser’s life on repeat. This guy has previously perked up ears with “Doin’ Life” and “Jack and Diet Coke,” so he’s on a roll.

TRACY LAWRENCE/ “Out Here In It”
Writers: Chris Utley/Lee Miller/Trey Lewis; Producers: Tracy Lawrence/Julian King; Label: Lawrence Music Group
– It’s kinda philosophical, kinda thoughtful, kinda mellow and all the way listenable. He remains a superb country vocalist and the strings-and-steel embellished production perfectly underscores his meditation. Lend this your ears.

JOY OLADOKUN/ “If You Got A Problem”
Writers: Peter Groenwald/Ian Fitchuk/Olubukola Oladokun; Producers: Peter Groenwald/Ian Fitchuk; Label: Verve Forecast/Republic Records
–  This Nashvillian scored a big career coup this week when she performed this ballad on the CBS special Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala on Wednesday evening (Feb. 21). The folk-pop production ripples with audio pleasure, while her silken vocal conveys hope, inspiration and fidelity. If you’re not already into this artist, start here and then explore both of her exquisite albums, In Defense of My Own Happiness (2021) and Proof of Life (2023).

PAT BOONE/ “My Stupid Tattoo”
Writers: Damon Leigh/David John Siebels; Producer: David Siebels; Label: The Gold Label
– Boone turns 90 this year, but he’s still in there swingin.’ On the heels of his 2023 Country Jubilee album, the former pop balladeer has issued this goofy, comedic bopper that cautions us not to put a girlfriend’s name in ink, ‘cause you might regret it later. Tap your toes and smile.

ALLIE COLLEEN (FT. LEE BRICE)/ “While We’re Still Friends”
Writers: Allie Colleen/Lee Brice/Sara Brice; Producers: Lee Brice/Jerrod Niemann/Allie Colleen; Label: Evangeline Records
– Colleen issues her finest vocal performance to date on this luscious, gorgeously produced power ballad. Her gleaming, shining-crystal delivery beams from an echoey, swirling-smoke soundscape to convey a goodbye-song lyric that looks back with fondness. I wish Brice had a verse of his own, but nevertheless his harmony vocal is a gem. Excellent work.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN/ “Holy Smokes”
Writers: Bailey Zimmerman/Austin Shawn/Ben Stennis/Michael Tyler/Lauren Hungate; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Elektra
– Romancing the preacher’s daughter in the church parking lot. Cigarette embers glow and smoke twirls around them, hence the title. Zimmerman’s story telling skill and assured vocal are both in full sail here. Captivating.

AUTUMN NICHOLS/ “Slow Down”
Writers: Autumn Nicole Nicholas/Bonnie J. Baker/Tori Tullier; Producers: Bonnie J. Baker; Label: A+N Records
– She sings wonderfully. The ballad starts too slowly, but gradually picks up potency.

PRISCILLA BLOCK/ “Good On You”
Writers: David Garcia/Jessie Jo Dillon/Laura Veltz/Priscilla Block; Producers: David Garcia/Dave Cohen; Label: UMGN InDent Records
– Loved her on “My Bar,” “Thick Thighs,” “Heels in Hand,” “Peaked in High School” and the rest of her outstanding Welcome to the Block Party collection in 2022-23. Now Block returns with a dandy ode that addresses her ex with sass. She knows she’s trashy and honky-tonk loud compared to his goody-two-shoes new girlfriend. But she’s cool with it. So am I. And how. “Vanilla ain’t me/It ain’t ever gonna be,” she warbles.

CAMILLE PARKER/ “Spinning Out”
Writers: Camille Parker/Sara Bares/Reid Sorel; Producers: Reid Sorel; Label: CP
– Breezy, danceable and very, very pop. This hasn’t stopped her from being a CMT Next Women of Country alumnus and CMA Fest performer who staged her Opry debut last weekend. The latter event was noteworthy in that her appearance on the iconic stage was cheered backstage by her country sisters in song Rissi Palmer, Madeline Edwards, Sacha, Tiera Kennedy, Denitia and Miko Marks.

JAIME WYATT/ “Back To The Country”
Writers: Jaime Wyatt/Ryan Hartman; Producer: Adrian Quesada; Label: New West Records
– She has a somewhat raw, garage-y, country-rocking sound with plenty of personality and an unstoppable vocal wail. During the past year, Wyatt has gigged at Austin City Limits, the Opry, the Newport Folk Festival and Stagecoach, plus toured with Sierra Ferrell, Nikki Lane, Margo Price, Grace Potter and The Avett Brothers. This week, she sang this on Kelly Clarkson’s TV show.

Robert K Oermann
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