DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dan + Shay Deliver ‘Delicate, Pristine Production’

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Dan + Shay. Photo: Robby Klein

This is an all-male edition of DISClaimer.

Every other contender here is a Black country stylist. One of them, Scoot Teasley, is our DISCovery Award winner. I don’t know much about him. I think he’s from Georgia, and he looks very young. I do know I’d sign him in a heartbeat.

As for our White guys, there’s no question but that Dan + Shay are this week’s Disc of the Day prize winners.

KEITH URBAN/ “Straight Line”
Writers: Keith Urban/Chase McGill/Jerry Flowers/Greg Wells; Producers: Keith Urban/Greg Wells; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– This zippy rocker puts pedal to the metal on an open-highway “road” song. Packed with positivity and frothing energy. It ain’t all that “country,” but it sure is fun.

BLANCO BROWN/ “Sunshine Shine”
Writer: Bennie Amey III; Producer: Blanco Brown; Label: Wheelhouse Records/BMG
– Brown is probably the best at fusing hip-hop with country. Probably because he can actually sing. This dancefloor ditty in praise of moonshine has cool hand claps, sampled bass loops, electronic blips and a pleasant, repeated, mellow hook. I remain a fan.

DAN + SHAY/ “Bigger Houses”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Andy Albert/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– The title to the duo’s new album has a classic-country sentiment: Money can’t buy happiness. The delicate, pristine production laced with acoustic guitar supports a softly sincere Shay Mooney lead vocal with a gentle Dan Smyers baritone harmony. A gorgeous little record.

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN/ “Leave Right Now”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Derek Campbell/JD Walker/Nicholas Autry; Producers: JD Walker/Nicholas Autry; Label: KG
– These twin brothers normally inhabit the dance floor, but on their new single they adopt a slow, sensuous groove. The production starts off kind of spare and cheeesy sounding, then adds layers of percussion and vocal harmonies to achieve a romantic, dim-the-lights jam. Seductive.

CHRIS YOUNG/ “Double Down”
Writers: Derek George/Monty Criswell/Tyler Reeve; Producer: Chris Young; Label: RCA Records Label Nashville
– It’s a barroom stomper with twang guitar and thumping percussion in praise of getting it on by drinking doubles and painting the town neon-red.

WILLIE JONES/ “Omg”
Writers: Will Adams; Producer: Willie Jones; Label: The Penthouse
– The single remains “Dive Bar,” but just in time for Super Bowl LVIII Jones drops his relaxed version of halftime-show performer Usher’s 2010 oldie “Omg.” Jones is in his third year hosting his Apple Music series “The Cross Road Radio Show.” These programs illustrate how country and hip-hop intertwine.

LUKE GRIMES/ “God And A Girl”
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Dillon James/Jason Nix; Producers: Dave Cobb; Label: Mercury/Range/UMG Nashville
– The Yellowstone star has repeatedly proved that he’s a for-real country artist. This new track throws a spotlight on his resonant baritone voice. It’s a slo-o-o-o-ow romantic ballad that could use a little more waltz-time lilt and a little less plodding.

CARLOS WASHINGTON’S STEEL HORSE SWING/ “Party On Piedra Lumbre’
Writers: Carlos A Washington; Producer: Ernie Martinez; Label: CW
– Not to be confused with the Atlanta Falcons running back, this Carlos Washington is a  western-swing cowboy revivalist, following in the footsteps of Bob Wills, Hank Thompson and Asleep at the Wheel. This track has a solid groove, punctuated by horn blasts, sizzling steel and jazzy fiddle. Washington’s confident vocal delivery is totally in the pocket. The rancher and former rodeo bull rider has recently signed with Nashville’s Flaming Tortuga label and is preparing new sounds for the second quarter of ‘24.

WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/ “Not Letting Go”
Writers: William Michael Morgan/Dan Huston/Sam Banks; Producer: Keith Stegall; Label: ONErpm
– This neo-traditionalist has a honky-tonk delivery to die for. The ballad is also bolstered by a flawless, tasteful, eloquent, steel-embellished production by Stegall. This is country music the way it was meant to be performed.

SCOOT TEASLEY/ “This Truck Still Misses You”
Writers: Scoot Teasley/Mason Thornley/Jon Stark; Producer: Chris Utley; Label: STM/Hollow Point Music Group
– This pulses with throbbing heartache energy. It also announces the birth of a major new country stylist. Teasley’s throaty, range-y vocal is stunning. The rocking production brims with excitement. Who is this guy, and where has he been all of our lives?

TYLER BRADEN/ “Devil You Know”
Writers: Sam Martinez/Graham Barham/Zack Dyer/Jon Robert Hall; Producer: Sam Martinez; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This fiery country rocker advises us to stand up for ourselves. Don’t back down, and don’t mistake kindness for weakness. The rock track screams with guitars and chanted backing vocals.

Robert K Oermann
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