DISClaimer Single Reviews: New Morgan Wallen Single Is ‘Brilliantly Produced’
Morgan Wallen. Photo: Spidey Smith
Hot enough for you?
As we plunge into summer, the country stars are heating up playlists with worthy sounds. Megan Moroney, Asleep at the Wheel and Deborah Allen are at the forefront, along with Disc of the Day prize winner, Morgan Wallen, who also happens to be the format’s sales king.
Big Loud’s Ink wins the DISCovery Award. This Nashvillian comes to the country format having achieved much pop success as a co-writer of songs recorded by Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Childish Gambino, J-Lo, Lil Nas X and more.
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL / “Texas In My Soul”
Writers: Ernest Tubb/Zeb Turner; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seifert; Label: Bismeaux Records
– Celebrating its 55th anniversary, the evergreen western swing unit is releasing Riding High In Texas as its 32nd album, a tribute to its Lone Star State roots. The advance single is a picker’s delight, tickling the ears with twin fiddles, steel, jazzbo piano plunking, diddling electric guitar and group singing. Boogie back to Texas, because this band will always rule. In the words of Bob Wills, A-Ha!
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Rattlesnake Preacher”
Writer: Randall Clay; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This snarling southern rocker roars with bluesy energy. Is this the first country song saluting fundamentalist snake handlers?
MEGAN MORONEY / “6 Months Later”
Writers: Ben Williams/David “Messy” Mescon/Megan Moroney/Rob Hatch; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records
– He dumps her then wants her back. Tough luck, buddy. I love a good kiss-off song, and this one stings with a snappy, bopping track and Moroney’s trademark, personality-packed vocal performance.
PARKER McCOLLUM / “Killin’ Me”
Writers: Monty Criswell/Parker McCollum/Randy Rogers; Producers: Eric Masse, Frank Liddell; Label: MCA Nashville
– A moody, dramatic arrangement frames an alluring lyric. She entices him, even though he knows the infatuation is wrong for him. The sound is cool, and his vocal vibe is drowsy.
CARL RAY / “Get On Board”
Writer: Carl Ray Williams; Producer: Greg Cole; Label: Sucarnoochee Records
– His heartfelt tenor propels this minor-key, groove-soaked, gospel outing. Ray has always masterfully blended country and bluegrass, but never more powerfully than on this single. The strummy, seductive track comes courtesy of an all-star ensemble featuring Darrin Vincent, BJ Cherryholmes, Seth Mulder and Josh Swift. Lend this your ears.
CAM / “Turns Out That I Am God”
Writers: Anders Mouridsen/Camaron Ochs (Cam)/Jeff Bhasker/Nick Lobel/Simon Maartensson/Tyler Johnson; Producers: Ethan Gruska, Jeff Bhasker, Michael Uzowuru, Tyler Johnson; Label: RCA Records
– Gorgeous sounding, with starkly echoey guitar and stacked vocal harmonies. It seems to be some kind of religious journey where she finds deep spirituality within her unconscious mind. It’s probably too brainy for country radio, but this woman could sing an instruction manual and I’d listen.
BRIAN KELLEY / “Saltwater Ranch”
Writers: Brian Kelley/Corey Crowder/Jake Rose; Producer: Corey Crowder, Jake Rose; Label: BK
– Kelley embraces his Florida roots in this swaying, beach-y track. His lightweight vocal is enhanced and disguised by male group singing on most of it.
MORGAN WALLEN / “I Got Better”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Chase McGill/Ernest Keith Smith/Joe Reeves/Michael Hardy/Morgan Wallen/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Brilliantly produced. An understated, rippling track carries a softly voiced performance. The gently rolling sound frames a lyric of healing following a breakup. Essential listening.
INK / “Hoedown”
Writers: Atia Boggs/Dave Hamlin/Juan Pablo Mendez/Patrick Krief; Producers: Ink, Jay P Does It, Patrick Krief; Label: Big Loud Records
– It’s a twanging dance tune with the bops and dips built right in. Step along as she sings the toe-tap instructions. Ink was previously noted as one of the songwriters on Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” This highly engaging outing shows that she is more than ready to stand on her own as an artist.
KAYLEY GREEN / “You’d Still Be Drunk”
Writers: Jason Gantt/Josh Osborne/Kayley Green; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– He still looks good, and she’s still attracted. But now she’s wise to him, realizing he’s never gonna be the one. The track is a body shaker, and there are hooks a-plenty here. This gal’s got something goin’ on.
DEBORAH ALLEN / “Hurt Me Bad (In a Real Good Way)”
Writers: Deborah Allen/Rafe Van Hoy; Producer: none listed; Label: StarVista
– Patty Loveless turned this tune into a No. 1 country hit in 1991. Singer-songwriter Allen’s version has a light, thoughtful sweetness. The guitar-based production has a lilting, jaunty tone that goes down as easily as her vocal. A lovely outing.
RAELYNN / “Heaven Is a Honky Tonk”
Writers: Caroline Watkins/Lauren Hungate/RaeLynn; Producers: Aaron Gillespie, RaeLynn; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– A rocking anthem to Saturday barroom nights. I like it, but I’d like it better if her vocal wasn’t so processed and compressed.
ROBERT RANDOLPH & JUDITH HILL / “When Will the Love Rain Down”
Writers: Judith Hill/Robert Randolph; Producer: Shooter Jennings; Label: Sun Label Group
– Highly dramatic and fascinating. Sacred-steel guitar master Randolph sets the spooky mood. Powerhouse singer Hill raises the gospel roof. There’s not much of a melody, but there is plenty of complex audio going on here. The video showcases what an instrumental virtuoso the man is.
