DISClaimer Single Reviews: Three Tunes Share The Disc Of The Day

NATE SMITH & AVRIL LAVIGNE / “Can You Die From A Broken Heart”
Writers: Kevin Fisher/Michael Matosic/Tom Walker; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Nashville
– His soulful baritone groan and her aching/piercing soprano blend beautifully on this broken-hearted power ballad. Smith is on a roll, with three consecutive country chart-toppers under his belt. Lavigne is a zillion-selling pop star. The single is a sonic masterpiece. This can’t miss.

BROOKS & DUNN & LAINEY WILSON / “Play Something Country”
Writers: Ronnie Dunn/Terry McBride; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– One of the greatest of all the Brooks & Dunn songs, gets a kick-ass revival with Lainey sassing her way into the bar, wailing “I shaved my legs/I paid my money.” The new diva holds her own opposite platinum-plated country vocal legend Ronnie. The 2005 number has always rocked, and it does so again. It’s drawn from a forthcoming (Nov. 15) album of collaborations. In addition to Wilson, the album will feature contributions from Morgan Wallen, Marcus King Band, Megan Moroney, Warren Zeiders, Jelly Roll, Riley Green, The Cadillac Three, Halestorm, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Earls of Leicester, Jake Worthington, Hailey Whitters, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Hardy, Ernest, A Thousand Horses and Corey Kent. Can’t wait.

THE RED CLAY STRAYS / “Drowning”
Writer: Drew Nix; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: RCA Records
– The 2024 winners of the Americana Emerging Artist award showcase their blues chops on this downbeat ballad that’s dripping with soul. Their debut RCA album Made By These Moments also features the heartbreaking “Wanna Be Loved” and tormented “Devil in My Ear.” These guys rock.

CODY JOHNSON & CARRIE UNDERWOOD / “I’m Gonna Love You”
Writers: Chris Stevens/Kelly Archer/Travis Denning; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
– Cody carries the melody while Carrie harmonizes perfectly on this lovely romantic outing. The piano ballad is a beautifully crafted piece of songwriting, and these two singers make the most of it. An instant wedding classic.

GARY NICHOLSON / “What A Little Love Can Do”
Writers: Gary Nicholson/Stephen Bruton; Producers: Gary Nicholson, John Heithaus, Kevin McKendree; Label: Qualified Records
– This Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member has a fine new album called Common Sense. He’s an ace guitarist and a comfy singer, and both skills are flying high on this sprightly country rocker. Charming as can be.

JAMEY JOHNSON / “Someday When I’m Old”
Writers: Aimee Mayo/Chris Lindsey/Troy Verges; Producer: The Kent Hardly Playboys; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Big Gassed Records
– Hallelujah! One of our greatest living country singers is back with a vengeance on this moody contemplation of mortality. It’s a brilliant song, and he totally owns it with his heartfelt performance.

SIERRA FERRELL / “Lighthouse”
Writers: Lindsay Lou/Sierra Ferrell; Producer: Gary Paczosa; Label: Rounder Records
– In any kind of just universe, this woman would already be a country superstar. As it is, she’s this year’s Artist of the Year at the Americana Music Awards. She is a charismatic showman (is showoman a word?) who is an irresistible stage presence. But this stripped-down, guitar-vocal outing showcases that she is also a mighty, mighty country singer. Have I mentioned that I am major fan?

MICKEY GUYTON / “House On Fire”
Writers: Jenna Andrews/Mickey Guyton/Stephen Kirk; Producers: Nolan Verner, Stephen Kirk; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Passionate, melodic, fierce, loving and deliciously listenable. This is the title tune of Guyton’s sophomore album, and it’s the performance of a lifetime. A career highlight that takes it up to a whole new level.

THE WAR AND TREATY / “Can I Get An Amen”
Writers: Jonathan Singleton/Michael Trotter Jr./Tanya Trotter; Producers: Andrew Capra, Jonathan Singleton, Michael Trotter Jr.; Label: UMG Nashville
– They brought the house down with this during the NBC telecast of the People’s Choice Country Awards last week. No wonder: The King & Queen of gospel country blaze brightly on this barn-storming ode to love, faith and fidelity. Are they the best singers in Nashville or what?

KAT LUNA / “That Girl”
Writers: Erika Ender/Kat Luna/KK Johnson/Rhett Akins; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Luna is issuing this in both English and Spanglish versions. In any language, it’s a super song of survival and empowerment, and she sings the fire out of it.

GANGSTAGRASS / “Mother”
Writers: Brian Farrow/Daniel Ford Whitener/Lawrence Durant/Oscar Owens/Randal Green/Sharif Talib Lacey; Producer: Rench; Label: Rench Audio
– This bi-racial band is currently No. 1 on the bluegrass chart with its fusion of ‘grass and hip-hop elements. The album is titled The Blackest Thing on the Menu, and its fifth single “Mother” is a socially, racially and environmentally conscious spoken lyric with plunked banjo notes and looped percussion. It follows “The Only Way Out Is Through” (featuring Jerry Douglas), “Good at Being Bad,” “Up High Do Or Die” (interpolating Bill Monroe’s “Jerusalem Ridge”) and “Obligatory Braggadocio” as showcases from the collection.

ELLE KING / “High Road”
Writers: Elle King/Paul Dominick DeVincenzo; Producers: Dave Cohen, Elle King; Label: RCA Records
– This performance sets her in stone as a country artist. And I do mean “stone.” There’s an unmistakable Willie vibe here, because when she sings of a “High Road,” the emphasis is on “high.” Country, country, country and cool.