DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zach Bryan & Kings Of Leon Team For Disc Of The Day

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Country music is rocking out this week.

This edition of DISClaimer features roaring sounds from Morgan Wade, Jelly Roll & Marshmello and Kip Moore. The best sounding one is a collaboration, Zach Bryan performing with Music City’s finest rock band, Kings of Leon. It is our Disc of the Day. 

Our DISCovery Award winner for today is Canadian country star Aaron Goodvin.

LACI KAYE BOOTH / “George F***king Strait”
Writers: Anderson East/Laci Kaye Booth/Melissa Fuller; Producers: Anderson East, Ben West; Label: Geffen Records
– Ultra modern sounding: Twangy, echoey track with a slow-burn vibe overlaid with her sly, drawling delivery. She yearns for a guy who gets better with age, like the country singer.

CHRIS YOUNG / “Jesus, Mama, Country Radio”
Writers: Chris Young/ChrisDeStefano/Josh Phillips/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Andy Sheridan, Chris Young; Label: Black River Entertainment
– Bright and upbeat. A toe tapper with jangling guitars and a thumpin’ beat.

AARON GOODVIN / “Said No Redneck Ever”
Writers: Aaron Goodvin/Brent Baxter/Trea Landon; Producers: Aaron Goodvin, Matthew Evan McClure; Label: Sakamoto Music
– “That beer’s too cold; that girl’s too hot; somebody turn Bocephus off.” You get the idea. No redneck says the words in the lyrics of this light-hearted ditty. A fun listen.

LAUREN ALAINA / “Little Things”
Writers: Emily Falvey/Lauren Alaina/Ross Copperman/Seth Ennis; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– The autobiographical power ballad reminisces about her late dad. Alaina’s singing sounds stronger than ever.

DUNCAN DANIELS / “Cowboys Wear Stetsons”
Writers: Darbi Shaun Lacagnina/Duncan Daniels/Ron Pope/Zach Berkman; Producer: Justine Blazer; Label: Dunkishrock Production
– He’s aiming for a traditional sound here. But his singing is quite weak.

JON PARDI / “Hey California”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/John Charles Reno Prentice/Jordan Minton; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A breezy tempo track is married to a country heartbreak lyric in this catchy, listenable, easy-going outing.

ZACH BRYAN & KINGS OF LEON / “Bowery”
Writers: Caleb Followill/Jared Followill/Matthew Followill/Nathan Followill/Zach Bryan; Producer: Zach Bryan; Label: Warner Records
– This rocks splendidly. Bryan’s wailing lead vocal hits the mark, and the slammin’ Nashville band kicks serious butt. The whole thing sounds exactly like a great big hit record.

TY HERNDON & ASHLEY McBRYDE / “A Man Holdin’ On to a Woman Letting Go”
Writers: Bobby Taylor/Gene Dobbins/John Ramey; Producers: Jimmy Thow, John Osborne; Label: Club44 Records
– Herndon revisits his 1998 hit, this time as an electrifying duet with the peerless McBryde. Both artists absolutely nail their vocals, separately and harmonizing together. Magnificently done.

JELLY ROLL & MARSHMELLO / “Holy Water”
Writers: Danny Majic/Jason Deford/Justin Franks/Kameron Alexander/Marshmello/Ryan Vojtesak; Producers: Charlie Handsome, Danny Majic, Frank E, Marshmello; Label: Mercury Records
– It’s a slowly paced eulogy for those who have left us. The totally electronic track is pop all the way.

KIP MOORE / “American Heartbreak”
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Kip Moore; Producers: Jaren Johnston, Kip Moore; Label: Virgin Music Group
– Urgently rocking, with its blue-collar roots on full display. This talented guy never disappoints.

MORGAN WADE / “The Party Is Over”
Writer: Morgan Wade; Producer: Clint Wells; Label: Ladylike Records/RCA Nashville
– Bitter and weary. She knows the relationship is over, but she can’t stop wanting him. The midtempo track seethes with electric-guitar power. It’s the title track of her just-released fourth album.

JOSHUA HEDLEY / “Fresh Hot Biscuits”
Writer: Joshua Hedley; Producers: Joshua Hedley, Ray Benson; Label: New West Records
– Old-school country champion Hedley has been a fixture at Robert’s Western World on Lower Broadway for years. Prior releases have featured him in honky-tonk and Nashville Sound settings. His next project will be a western-swing collection, produced by Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson. And, yes, those snappy fiddle breaks are Joshua’s own. This delightful ditty is an advance taste of what we can expect when Hedley’s All Hat collection drops in October.

Robert K Oermann
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