DISClaimer Single Reviews: Runaway June Scores Disc Of The Day

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Runaway June. Photo: Ford Fairchild

It’s a ballad kind of day in this week’s stack of country tunes.

To one degree or another, Angel White, Ashley McBryde, The Castellows, Karley Scott Collins and Kameron Marlowe are all taking things slow. However, we do have a new Southern rock band in the mix, Hippies & Cowboys.

But the uptempo tune to beat is by that trio of charmers, Runaway June, who run away with the Disc of the Day award with their sprightly delivery of “He Ain’t My Problem.”

I’m also happy to report that we have some solid honky-tonk traditionalists on hand—Cody Jinks, Don Louis and our DISCovery Award winner, Braxton Keith. More power to ‘em.

THE CASTELLOWS / “Alabama Stone”
Writers: Caroline Watkins/Eleanor Balkcom/Josh Dorr/Lily Balkcom/Powell Balkcom; Producer: Brad Cook; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– This stately sounding tune describes the life of a rural Alabama lady whose dreams never came true. She lives and dies in sorrow. The trio’s wistful vocals waft through a languid acoustic soundscape in this haunting outing.

KAMERON MARLOWE / “Burning House”
Writers: Camaron Ochs (Cam)/Jeff Bhasker/Tyler Johnson; Producer: Ben West; Label: Columbia Nashville
– Marlowe’s soulful, piercing, penetrating delivery is placed in a stark, spare arrangement of sighing electronics and plucked guitar strings. The result is utterly riveting. The song was originally by Cam, an artist who has not been given the accolades she deserves.

HIPPIES & COWBOYS / “Fork In The Road”
Writers: Aaron Lee Sparling/Jonathan Danis/Kevin Corbo/Scott Metko/Victor Arruda; Producer: Casey Wasner; Label: Long Run
– This Nashville band revives Southern rock splendidly, thanks to a shrieking, bluesy lead vocal and some Skynyrd-worthy electric guitar. Classic sounding.

ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Chris Harris/Patrick Savage; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This woman could sing the phone book and I’d listen. Her latest single is a nostalgic ballad that yearns for the honesty, authenticity and values of days gone by. As always, she’s a model of steadfast earthiness.

DON LOUIS / “Neon You”
Writers: Chad Sellers/Dalton Little/Easton Hamlin; Producers: Chad Sellers, Smith Curry; Label: Money Myers Entertainment
– He’s stepping out with his honey on a Friday-night excursion into Strait territory. Which is to say, this man sings a solid country song like nobody’s business. Every single he has released this year has been superb. The album is called Liquor Talkin.’ If you love real country music, play him.

GRAHAM BARHAM / “Something To Chase”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Dallas Wilson/Graham Barham/Sam Martinez; Producer: Sam Martinez; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Processed vocal. Electronic hip-hop track. Pass.

ANGEL WHITE / “Crossroads”
Writers: Angel White/Dave Thomas Junior/Lauren Whissell; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Label: Wyatt Road Records
– This Texas rancher mixes country, soul and pop in this pleading power ballad. His life is at a standstill as he begs for some direction. The stomping backbeat gives it an anthem-like quality. The innovative production is as ear-catching as his startling vocal. Highly engaging.

CODY JINKS / “If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time”
Writers: Jim Beck/Lefty Frizzell; Producer: Drew Harakal, Joshua Thompson; Label: CJ
– This longtime Texas favorite has issued 10 albums and had 3.5 billion (with a “B”) streams of his roadhouse sounds. The honky-tonker is issuing a tribute album to the ultimate honky-tonk superstar, Lefty Frizzell. It kicks off with Cody’s revival of the Hall of Famer’s signature hit of 1950. Performances like this are why this guy has been named MusicRow’s Independent Artist of the Year, twice.

RUNAWAY JUNE / “He Ain’t My Problem”
Writers: Jennifer Wayne/Natalie Stovall/Stevie Woodward; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Quartz Hill Records
– Feisty and fun, fun, fun. The saucy kiss-off song is packed with clever asides, cool instrumental licks, sexy lines, punchy-uptempo rhythms and delicious three-part harmony. I love this record, and their songwriting is peerless.

CHASE MATTHEW / “Dancing In The Rain”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Cole Miracle/Gabe Foust/Graham Barham; Producers: Austin Shawn, Gabe Foust; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Which way is this relationship heading? Whatever happens, he’s hot for her in this jaunty midtempo ditty. Tastefully produced and sung with easy-going sincerity.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Quit You”
Writers: Karley Scott Collins/Nathan Chapman; Producers: Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– She sings with gripping intensity. You’ll hear every aching breath and throaty rasp in this acoustic production. The ballad is about being trapped in a troublesome romance with no end in sight. This one’s a keeper.

BRAXTON KEITH / “Chase You Down”
Writers: Braxton Keith/Deric Ruttan; Producers: Alex Torrez, David Dorn; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This Texan is one terrific country singer. His two-stepper is a honky-tonk delight as he yearns for the gal who left him. His vocal dips, the rolling groove and a crisp production are all utterly irresistible. Also check out his power ballad “Fall This Way” on his new Blue EP, which drops tomorrow. Sign me up for the fan club.

Robert K Oermann
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