DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jordan Davis ‘Tries On A Jaunty Tempo Tune’

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It’s a variety pack of flavors in today’s DISClaimer.

We have a legend, Queen Reba, as well as newcomers Colin Stough, plus Ryan & Rory. We have folk (Kacey Musgraves), hip-hop (Shaboozey), gospel (The Oak Ridge Boys) yodeling (Phoebe White) and pop (The Mavericks).

Our two contenders for the Disc of the Day award are both solidly country, Drew Parker and Jordan Davis. I’m a huge fan of both singers. I’m giving the honor to Davis, but please play them both. A lot.

In keeping with our “variety pack” theme of the day, the DISCovery Awardees come to us from Brazil. Welcome Fernando & Sorocaba.

JUSTIN MOORE / “Put A Boot In It”
Writers: Jeremy Stover/Justin Moore/Randy Montana/Will Bundy; Producers: Jeremy Stover, Scott Borchetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– This takes aim at folks who trade trap beats for twang and move to Nashville from L.A. in order to make money in country music. He threatens mild violence if they don’t get more “country,” according to his definition of the lifestyle/sound. The verses and the choruses have jarringly different tempos.

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS / “Promised Land”
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Jeff Jones/Terry Clayton; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Lightning Rod Records
– Producer Dave Cobb insisted that the late Joe Bonsall sing a solo lead on this beautiful gospel ballad. The group has now issued a moving video of the tune in commemoration/homage to their fallen comrade. Bonsall died on July 9. The group will continue its farewell tour without him. Ben James joined as the Oaks tenor vocalist when Bonsall retired from the road in January.

PHOEBE WHITE, SUZY BOGGUSS & RIDERS IN THE SKY / “Ride Along With Me”
Writer: Phoebe White; Producer: Michael Jonathan; Label: Poet Man
– Here’s a smile for the day. Suzy Bogguss shares lead vocals with White on this lively track that kicks off the 14-year-old Kentucky yodeling phenomenon’s new album. Riders in the Sky provide the instrumental and vocal backing. The album, Cowgirl’s Delight, drops next month.

SHABOOZEY & BIGXTHAPLUG / “Drink Don’t Need No Mix”
Writers: Collins Obinna Chibueze/McKay Stevens/Nevin Sastry/Sean Cook/Xavier Landum; Producers: Sean Cook, McKay Stevens, Nevin Sastry; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– It looks like Shaboozey is going to be country’s breakout star of 2024. His delightful “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is a multi-week No. 1 smash on both country and pop charts and has been streamed 900 million times and counting. The native Virginian teams with heavyweight rising Dallas rapper BigXThaPlug in his new video. It is a profanity laced, tuneless outing that owes much more to hip-hop culture than country.

DREW PARKER / “Love The Leavin’”
Writers: Drew Parker/Lindsay Rimes/Matt Rogers; Producer: Jacob Rice; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Parker finally dropped his debut album Camouflage Cowboy a couple of weeks ago. He simultaneously released a video for this torrid ballad. The performance will make a believer out of you, if you’re not already in his fan club. This man is a spectacular vocal talent, among the very best of this generation of young country performers.

REBA McENTIRE / “I Can’t”
Writers: Tania Hancheroff/Tia Sillers/Victoria Banks; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Rockin’ R Records
– Very impressive. The Country Music Hall of Fame member unleashes one of the finest performances of her distinguished career with this dramatic power ballad. The lyric is wonderfully poetic and the production has tension and energy. The ode to romantic survival is accompanied by an artful video featuring an eye-popping set and florid ballet dancers.

COLIN STOUGH / “Lookin’ For Home”
Writers: Colin Stough/Lewis Brice/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: Alex Maxwell; Label: BBR Music Group
– This American Idol alumnus has issued his debut EP. Its title tune is a rolling country rocker with a wide-open-spaces “road” vibe.

JORDAN DAVIS / “I Ain’t Sayin’”
Writers: Emily Reid/Mark Holman/Steve Moakler/Travis Wood; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– Mr. Davis tries on a jaunty tempo tune, and it fits just right. He might not be Mr. Right, but that other guy “sure as hell ain’t.” I remain an enormous fan.

CHASE MATTHEW AND FERNANDO & SOROCABA / “Cold Blooded”
Writers: Chase Matthew/Felipe Kef/Laroy Sanchez/Lucas Santos/Sorocaba; Producer: Lucas Santos; Label: Warner Music Brazil
– The lyric might be a heartbreaker, but the fabulous Brazilian rhythms will make you want to dance down Lower Broadway with a grin on your face. Viva Fernando y Sorocaba!

KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Irish Goodbye”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Ian Fitchuk/Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves; Label: Interscope Records/MCA Nashville
– Pretty. Airy. Wafting. Folkie. Soothing.

RYAN AND RORY / “Pour Decisions”
Writers: Emily Reid/Kevin Bard/Maya Kurchner/Remy Gautreau/Ryan Follese; Producers: Kevin Bard, Nick Zinnanti; Label: BBR Music Group
– Drawling, drowsy, boozy, Southern and loping. Relax and ride along.

THE MAVERICKS & MAGGIE ROSE / “Look Around You”
Writer: Raul Malo; Producers: Raul Malo, Niko Bolas; Label: Mono Mundo Recordings
– Lovely and essential. The groove-soaked track features marvelous poly-rhythms, horn punctuations and twin harmony singing by group leader Raul Malo and soulful Maggie Rose. The hippie message of brotherhood is uplifting and uniting. You can dance to it, too.

Robert K Oermann
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