DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kelsea Ballerini ‘Beautifully’ Previews Upcoming Album

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Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: John Russo

We have a lot of fresh-sounding tracks in this week’s DISClaimer roundup.

There’s the clear, folk acoustic style of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, the “outlaw” rowdiness of Gavin Adcock and the retro, soul-rock stew of Jeremie Albino. Adcock, Albino and Kayley Green are all making their debuts in the column, and talented newcomers are always welcome here. The DISCovery Award goes to Gavin Adcock.

Established hit-makers Thomas Rhett, Walker Hayes and McBride & The Ride are here as well. So is Kelsea Ballerini, who wins the Disc of the Day prize with her insightful “Sorry Mom.”

KAYLEY GREEN / “Shadow of a Cowboy”
Writers: Kayley Green/Jon Nite/Ross Copperman/Ben Williams; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The drum machine and processed production are a little off-putting. But she sings her face off with an attractive purr and soulful range on a hurtin’ relationship lyric. Plus the melody is yummy. All in all, a marvelous debut.

WALKER HAYES / “Ball Player”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Ross Copperman; Producers: Ben Johnson, Danny Majic; Label: Monument Records/RCA Records
– It’s a fatherhood song, addressed to a baseball-playing son with words of wisdom. He wants the boy to know that he’s loved whether he strikes out or hits a home run. Released just in time for the Little League World Series.

FANCY HAGOOD / “Good Grief”
Writers: Fancy Hagood/Jeremy Lutito; Producer: Jeremy Jutito; Label: Fancy Haygood Enterprises
– A cool, breezy track underlies a gentle reflection on the nature of grief. In a tender, tenor vocal performance, he tries to find acceptance and even joy as he thinks about the loved one he has lost. Very affecting.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “Sorry Mom”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon/Alysa Vanderheym/Hillary Lindsey/Karen Fairchild/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River Entertainment/Big Machine Music
– Yeah, she’s been drinking and smoking and having sex. But beyond all the mistakes, escapades and disagreements, she’s become a woman her mother can be proud of. Beautifully done, from the exquisite production to her lilting, conversational vocal. This mid-tempo gem is drawn from her upcoming, female-centric album Patterns. I, for one, cannot wait to hear the rest of it.

JEREMIE ALBINO / “I Don’t Mind Waiting”
Writers: Jeremie Albino/Dan Auerbach/Pat McLaughlin; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
– The band lays down a Southern, neo-soul groove while his throaty, charismatic voice pleads for love. A retro romp, complete with horns and organ, that’s a pure audio pleasure. Also check out his rumbling road tune “Rolling Down the 405.” Both tunes will be found on his album, Our Time in the Sun, due Nov. 1.

THOMAS RHETT / “After All the Bars Are Closed”
Writers: Jacob Kasher Hindlin/John Byron/Thomas Rhett/Jaxson Free/Julian Bunetta; Producers: Dann Huff, Julian Bunetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Here’s another preview of Rhett’s forthcoming album. Finger snaps, plucked guitar notes and relaxed, romantic singing are the hallmarks of this mellow ode to budding love.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Hell Out of a Hometown”
Writers: Priscilla Block/David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey/Summer Overstreet; Producers: David Garcia, Dave Cohen; Label: UMG Nashville/InDentRecords
– Her small town is suddenly claustrophobic and confining. She can’t drive around alone, seek anonymity in a bar or find solace at a church in a place everybody knows your name. He’s ruined the community she used to love. As usual, this woman’s singing and songwriter are first rate. This rolling thumper just confirms her greatness.

KENT BLAZY / “This One’s for You”
Writer: Kent Blazy; Producer: Kent Blazy; Label: Kent Blazy
– Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Blazy is on a mission to release a new album each year. His new one is titled My Life So Far, and it is his best-produced to date. You can “drop the needle” anywhere on it and be entertained. On this passionate country rocker, he salutes a buddy and bandmate from his Kentucky youth. Blazy has vocal and guitar chops to spare.

McBRIDE & THE RIDE / “No More Cryin’”
Writers: Josh Leo/Terry McBride; Producer: none listed; Label: Geffen
– This ‘90s hit-making band is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a live EP of some of its best-loved tunes. Original members Terry McBride, Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas kick up some serious dust on this lively rocker, which originally appeared on the soundtrack of the cult-favorite rodeo movie 8 Seconds.

GAVIN ADCOCK / “Run Your Mouth”
Writers: Gavin Adcock/Jack Rauton; Producer: Jay Rogers; Label: Thrivin Here Records LLC/Warner Music Nashville
– This bluesy, drawling stomper is loaded with sass, aggression and attitude. He sounds like a real country-music disrupter. Watch out for the surprise silent “breathing” passage in mid hell-raiser snarl. Adcock’s debut album, Actin’ Up Again, is 16 tracks of fire. Country music needs this guy to kick it in its pop pants.

NEON UNION / “Luck Don’t Live Around Here”
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Kelley Lovelace/Neil Thrasher; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Label: Red Street Records, LLC
– Good things don’t come from good luck. They come from hard work, faith, love and “blood, sweat and tears.” That’s what the duo says on their stirring new anthem. It’s probably the team’s most commercial single to date.

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS / “Hashtag”
Writers: David Rawlings/Gillian Welch; Producer: David Rawlings; Label: Acony Records
– This folk duo hasn’t released any new music since winning a Grammy for its 2020 collection of covers All the Good Times. And it has been seven years since Welch and Rawlings have issued an album of original tunes. The wait will be over when their Woodland album drops this fall. In the meantime, here’s a preview, a gentle meditation on the passage of time, accented with sighing strings.

Robert K Oermann
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