Robert K. Oermann Highlights Nashville’s Top Tunes Of 2025 In DISClaimer

Shortly after MusicRow Magazine was established in 1981, respected music critic, author and historian Robert K. Oermann began reviewing the newest music to come out of Nashville with his weekly DISClaimer column.

Each week, Oermann shares his thoughts on a collection of new tunes. His reviews have become an iconic part of MusicRow.

In each week’s DISClaimer column, Oermann chooses a Disc of the Day as a highlight of the pack. Below are his 2025 Disc of the Day winners.

MORGAN WALLEN / “Smile”
Writers: Charlie Handsome/Ernest Keith Smith/John Byron/Luis Witkiewitz/Morgan Wallen/Rocky Block; Producers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Bittersweet heartache, accompanied by hushed backup sighing and gently-plucked guitars. Beautifully done.

THE WAR AND TREATY / “Save Me”
Writers: Kendell Marvel/Michael Trotter Jr./Tanya Trotter; Producers: Andrew Capra, Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter; Label: UMG Nashville
– Can we all just agree that these two are in a completely different class than the rest of the singers in this town? On this vow of love, their thrilling voices are backed by a rock-star track that fills the speakers with electronic power and rhythm. The War and Treaty’s forthcoming album, Plus One, will drop on Valentine’s Day. Somebody say, “Amen.”

MAGGIE ROSE & VINCE GILL / “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
Writers: Allen Shamblin/Mike Reid; Producer: Davis Naish; Label: One Riot Records
– Maggie Rose is one of the finest singers in a city full of great vocalists. She isn’t a country artist, but collaborating with Country Hall of Famer Vince Gill gives her definite country-soul cred. Especially because it’s on this aching ballad of unrequited love originally immortalized by Bonnie Raitt in 1991. Melody. Emotion. Technique. Flawless artistry.

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Run”
Writer: Miranda Lambert; Producers: Jon Randall, Miranda Lambert; Label: Big Loud Records/Republic Records
– The thrilling, pumping production sets your pulse racing. The lyric of regret, deception and escape grabs your ear. Her voice, as always, rules your heart. An artist at the top of her game with a mini masterpiece.

RASCAL FLATTS & THE JONAS BROTHERS / “I Dare You”
Writers: Dewain Whitmore/Nick Jonas/Shay Mooney/Tommy English; Producers: Dann Huff, Jay DeMarcus, Jeremy Hatcher, Tommy English; Label: Big Machine Records
– This snazzy little country rocker has a built-in spring breeze. Lyrics fly by like highway scenery as the band kicks up dust. Gary carries the lead with the Jonas boys adding vocal embellishments, holding back until the bridge. After that, everybody sings to the sky. A winner, even though one yearns for more Jonas.

RILEY GREEN / “Worst Way”
Writer: Riley Green; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– He has s-e-x on his mind, and he lets her know it. The feel-good, midtempo track keeps the sultry mood rolling right along. Green’s streak of chart-toppers ought to continue with this dandy outing.

SABRINA CARPENTER & DOLLY PARTON / “Please, Please, Please”
Writers: Amy Allen/Jack Antonoff/Sabrina Carpenter; Producer: Jack Antonoff; Label: Island Records
– What a delicious audio confection. Burbling, airy, twinkling and loaded with Carpenter’s signature wit. The two wafting sopranos lift this thing into a cotton-candy cloud of bliss. Sabrina keeps falling for losers and begs this one not to embarrass her like all the others. Best line: “Don’t bring me to tears, when I just did my makeup so nice.” Totally loving this.

TRACE ADKINS / “What Color’s Your Wild”
Writers: Casey Beathard/Monty Criswell; Producer: Bart Butler; Label: Verge
– The big man can still deliver the goods. And how. This stomper is loaded with charisma, and the color-coded lyric about pursuing passion is terrific. I hung on every note. Essential audio.

CARLY PEARCE / “No Rain”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Emily Weisband/Jordan Reynolds/Lauren Hungate; Producers: Carly Pearce, Dave Clauss; Label: Big Machine Records
– When you’re going through hardship, remember that without rain, there are no flowers. Pearce’s vocal is beautifully phrased, and the strings-and-guitar accompaniment is simply poetic. Country music eloquence.

MICKEY GUYTON / “You Don’t Know Me at All”
Writer: Dave Jordan; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Guyton drew a standing ovation for her performance of this power ballad on Monday’s Ringo & Friends at the Ryman TV special. As a single, it’s a stunning listening experience, with goosebumps popping up all over when she rolls into that chorus. This lady can SING. Listen and believe.

DIERKS BENTLEY & STEPHEN WILSON JR. / “Cold Beer Can”
Writers: Dierks Bentley/Jon Randall/Luke Dick/Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producers: Mary Hilliard Harrington, Jon Randall, Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Wilson’s bluesy drawl and strong guitar work strongly color this duet performance. It salutes blue-collar friendship, family ties, romantic events, brotherhood and life’s best moments. “Money can’t buy what a cold beer can,” they sing. Amen, bro’s. Sing on.

MORGAN WALLEN / “I’m a Little Crazy”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Jameson Rodgers/Michael Hardy/Smith Ahnquist; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/ Mercury Records
– I got totally into this. Wallen unspools the thoughtful lyric in plain-spoken, unfussy fashion while acoustic guitar notes ripple around him. He sings, “I’m a little crazy, but the world’s insane.” I believe we can all relate to that. Wallen showcases tunes from his upcoming I’m the Problem album this weekend as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on March 29.

CODY JOHNSON & CARÍN LEÓN / “She Hurts Like Tequila”
Writers: Cody Johnson/Johan Sotelo/Orlando Aispuro Meneses/Oscar Armando Diaz de Leon Huez/Trent Willmon; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
– Cojo embraces his Lone Star State’s Hispanic heritage with this sublimely country waltz that blends Mexicali guitar, accordion and steel guitar. Latin superstar Carín León alternates with Spanish verses. A bi-lingual triumph. In a word, gracias.

BROTHERS OSBORNE / “Finish This Drink”
Writers: Alysa Vanderheym/TJ Osborne; Producers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne; Label: EMI Music Nashville
– This RAWKS. Lightning-bolt lead guitar and flamethrower fiddle electrify the instrumental passages. TJ’s tongue-in-cheek drawl spits a potent, rollicking, frothing tune of a wayward honky tonker while John’s audio stew heats up to boiling.

CARTER FAITH / “Grudge”
Writers: Carter Faith/Steph Jones/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: UMG Nashville
– Witty and delightfully bitchy toward a back-stabbing former friend. The uptempo romp has a cute phrase around every corner. She needs to somebody to hold her beer, but she sure can hold one hell of a grudge.

CODY JOHNSON / “The Fall”
Writers: Bobby Pinson/Jeremy Stover/Ray Fulcher; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
– Philosophical, moody and super compelling. “The ride was worth the fall/The fall was worth the smile/Smiles were worth the tears…Life is worth the fall.” A superb song in the throat of a master stylist. Essential.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “Baggage”
Writers: Alysa Vanderheym/Hillary Lindsey/Jessie Jo Dillon/Karen Fairchild/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Alysa Vanderheym, Kelsea Ballerini; Label: Black River Entertainment
– She’s feeling frisky and free, because she’s letting go of her emotional baggage. The country-rock track features a gal-pal sing-along finale, rapid guitar strums, bouncing rhythm and a searing electric guitar break. Sing and dance along.

TRISHA YEARWOOD / “The Wall or the Way Over”
Writers: Emma-Lee/Maia Sharp/Trisha Yearwood; Producers: Chad Carlson, Trisha Yearwood; Label: Virgin Music Group/Gwendolyn Records
– Produced with crystal clarity and dynamic tension, this exudes energy. As usual, this goddess has few peers as a supreme vocalist. The deliciously bluesy rocker is drawn from Yearwood’s upcoming The Mirror, her first self-penned collection. I love this. Can’t wait to hear the rest.

MEGAN MORONEY & KENNY CHESNEY / “You Had to Be There”
Writers: Ben Williams/Mackenzie Carpenter/Megan Moroney/Micah Carpenter; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Nashville/Columbia Records
– What a complete delight. This sounds like a party, if I’ve ever heard one. Moroney wrote it as a thank-you to Chesney for taking her out on tour when her career was launching last year. He jumps right into the spirit of things as she unspools this romping bopper. Here comes summer.

KEB’ MO’ & TAJ MAHAL & RUBY AMANFU / “Room on the Porch”
Writers: Ahmen Mahal/Henry St Claire Fredericks, Jr./Kevin R. Moore/Ruby Amanfu; Producers: Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal; Label: Concord Records
– This is the title tune of the second TajMo collaborative album. The gifted Nashville diva Ruby Amanfu is their guest vocalist on the rolling, swaying, relaxing, welcoming, sweet-sounding, acoustic outing that celebrates friendship and community. This is absolutely essential listening. The Grammy winning blues masters are booked to appear on the Opry tomorrow (May 23), which is also their album-release day. I bet they’ll bring the house down.

SISTER SADIE / “Do What You Want”
Writers: Dani Flowers/Erin Enderlin/Sharon Richardson; Producer: Deanie Richardson; Label: Mountain Home Music Company
– The much honored and applauded all-female bluegrass sextet returns with a totally cool, waltz-time outing of feisty, independent-female sass. A delightful listen, from the tart lyric to the swaying fiddling, from the glorious harmonies to the rowdy-gang finale. The schoolhouse video is a blast. The tune is drawn from the band’s All Will Be Well album, which drops on June 27. Can’t wait.

OLD DOMINION / “Water My Flowers”
Writers: Jerry Flowers/Jordan Reynolds/Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Ridiculously hooky and a complete audio addiction. But what else is new? This band seems to live and breathe hooks. The restless tempo and haunting melody pull you into the swirl of questing, loneliness and doubt in the lyric. Massively wonderful.

ZACH TOP / “Good Times & Tan Lines”
Writers: Carson Chamberlain/Wyatt McCubbin/Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: Leo33
– Stuttering twang guitar, happy fiddle, singing steel and a bopping breezy beat — what more could you ask for in a summer single? As always, Top sings his face off. The ACM New Male Vocalist winner strikes again.

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.

TRISHA YEARWOOD / “The Mirror”
Writers: Trisha Yearwood/Leslie Satcher/Bridgette Tatum; Producer: Trisha Yearwood & Chad Carlson; Label: Virgin/Gwendolyn
– The title tune of Yearwood’s forthcoming (July 18) album is an awesome slab of sound. She gazes at the image in her mirror and is startled to see a strong, beautiful, brave woman instead of a wimp. The collection is the first one that the singer has co-written and co-produced. Watch for this superstar on the NBC telecast of the Macy’s 4th of July Firework show from New York City. She’ll introduce the album on the TODAY show on the 18th, then perform and do an album signing at the Opry the next day. If you haven’t already jumped on this, get tix now, because she’s also starring in the Hall of Fame’s tribute show to Linda Ronstadt with James Taylor, Rodney Crowell, Patti Scialfa and Emmylou Harris on July 22.

RILEY GREEN & ELLA LANGLEY / “Don’t Mind If I Do”
Writer: Riley Green; Producer: Dann Huff, Scott Borchetta & Jimmy Harnen; Label: Nashville Harbor
– The “You Look Like You Love Me” team returns with a lovelorn ballad that aches with yearning. Green carries the song, then Langley floats in with her harmonies and a gentle, haunting finale. Sublime listening.

MIRANDA LAMBERT & CHRIS STAPLETON / “A Song to Sing”
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Jenee Fleenor/Jesse Frasure/Miranda Lambert; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Republic Records
– Groove soaked and soulful. A stately, rump-shaking beat and some smokey, swirly guitar-organ-violin atmosphere back a masterpiece of duet singing. Stunning, beautiful and absolutely essential.

RODNEY CROWELL / “Twenty-One Song Salute (Owed to G.G. Shinn and Cléoma Falcon)”
Writer: Rodney Crowell; Producer: Tyler Bryant; Label: Rodney Crowell
– Hidden in the lyric are the titles of 21 songs that helped to forge his musical life. The track rocks splendidly and Crowell remains a master at delivering a Texas-accented country performance. Tyler Bryant provides the harmony vocal. Highly recommended. This singer-songwriter belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

JORDAN DAVIS / “Turn This Truck Around”
Writers: Devin Dawson/Jake Mitchell/Jordan Davis/Josh Thompson; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– I am such a huge fan of this guy. His furry, throaty vocals are so emotionally compelling, and his songwriting is just terrific. On this outing, an insistent rhythm track beats like his broken heart while he heads for a destination unknown—unless her memory becomes so powerful that he heads back home. I hung on every line.

DIERKS BENTLEY, RILEY GREEN & JOHN ANDERSON / “Broken Branches”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Graham Barham/Zach Abend; Producers: Jon Randall, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A rollicking drinkin’ party with lotsa rhythm and plenty of smiles. The trailer-trash music video is creating a viral sensation.

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.

OLD DOMINION / “Late Great Heartbreak”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The much-awarded band’s much-anticipated new album, Barbara, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22). I expect it will be filled with wall-to-wall great songs, as usual. That’s certainly the case of its ridiculously hooky new single. It’s tuneful and bopping and utterly charming.

BILLY CURRINGTON / “One Thing I Ain’t Been”
Writers: Chase McDaniel, Johnny Clawson, Steve Moakler; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: MCA
– The groove is enchanting, a rolling ride on a calm sea of sound. Amid the swaying atmosphere is Currington’s softly yearning invitation to romance. Very listenable.

DIERKS BENTLEY & THE BAND LOULA / “Get Down on Your Knees and Pray”
Writer: Bill Monroe; Producer: Ben Helson; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Swampy and moody and totally cool. Deep twang guitar, multi-part harmonies, searing fiddle and bluesy mandolin cut through a swirling cloud of haunting atmosphere. Fabulous listening. It’s recorded live, and it drives the audience absolutely wild. Me, too.

CARIN LEÓN & KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Lost in Translation”
Writers: Amy Allen/Kacey Musgraves/Oscar Armando Diaz de Leon/Shane McAnally; Producers: Julian Bunetta, Matt Zara; Label: Socios Music
– Mexican-style instrumental flourishes embellish this lilting, lively duet that describes a romance that’s trying to navigate a language barrier. León’s rapid-fire Spanish delivery contrasts with Musgraves’ languid style beautifully, and he harmonizes with her with immense verve. Wonderfully refreshing…and sexy, too.

ZAC BROWN BAND & DOLLY PARTON / “Butterfly”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Sasha Sirota/Zac Brown; Producer: Zac Brown; Label: Master of None
– In a word, thrilling. Brown and Parton both sing their faces off on this inspirational duet that soars on wings of harmony. By the time they finish, you feel like you’re flying on the wind. Essential listening.

CHARLEY PRIDE / “Endlessly”
Writers: Brook Benton/Clyde Otis; Producers: Bob Pickering, Charley Pride; Label: Music City Records
– Tomorrow (Sept. 19) would have been Brook Benton’s 94th birthday. I have long believed that he was an unheralded country hero. The pop-soul baritone recorded two country albums, immortalized Tony Joe White’s “Rainy Night in Georgia” and wrote great songs that were covered by country stars. Benton and/or his co-writer Clyde Otis were responsible for “It’s Just a Matter of Time” (Randy Travis), “The Ties That Bind” (Don Williams). “Endlessly” (Sonny James) and more. The last named is the title tune of a long overdue Brook Benton tribute album. After Charley Pride’s death in 2020, these tapes were found, revealing that the superstar was definitely appreciative of Benton’s talent. His vocal performances on these classics are arguably the finest of his career. Backed by the Dallas Symphony, Pride glides through the lushly melodic “Endlessly” and dips into its bass notes with delight. Every track on this collection is a mini masterpiece. Also check out his stunning version of “The Ties That Bind.” The collection drops tomorrow (Sept. 19).

COLBIE CAILLAT & MAREN MORRIS / “Fallin’ For You”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/Rick Nowels; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records
– A rolling, rumbling, country-rock delight. The two women’s voices blend so seamlessly that it sounds like they’ve been singing together all their lives. It’s drawn from Caillat’s This Time Around, an all-duets collection that drops tomorrow (Sept. 26). The wildly catchy, rhythm-happy tune was a double-Platinum pop hit for her in 2009.

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND / “Night After Night”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Paul Kennerley; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Label: Many Hats Distribution
– OMG what a delightful track. The band zips through this catchy country rocker with joyous abandon. The song has more hooks than a tuna boat, and Jeff Hanna’s lead vocal is beyond cool. Put this on endless repeat. The Dirt Band is currently on its farewell tour. Go see these legends while you still can.

BRAXTON KEITH / “The Chair”
Writers: Dean Dillon/Hank Cochran; Producers: Alex Torrez, David Dorn; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Keith takes this fabulous George Strait oldie out for a welcome revival. The song is a country-music masterpiece. It takes guts to go up against Strait’s iconic performance, but this man is up to the task, and then some. Hear for yourself why it has streamed two million times in a single week. A tip of the cowboy hat to a sublime performance of an undeniable classic.

RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Worth Your Wild”
Writers: Anthony Kiedis/Bret Mazur/Casey Brown/Chad Smith/John Frusciante/Michael Balzary/Parker Welling/Russell Dickerson/Seth Binzer; Producers: Casey Brown, Josh Kerr, Russell Dickerson; Label: Triple Tigers
– Joyously rocking. This lights a fire under Friday night and points to a night of tearin’ up the roads and makin’ whoopie. Dickerson always heats up a playlist, and he’s hotter than ever here.

MEGAN MORONEY / “Beautiful Things”
Writers: Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander/Jessie Jo DillonMegan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Records
– From a broken-hearted place come words of comfort and hope. She reassures the hurting one that, “You’re pretty and you’re smart….The world is hard on beautiful things.” A tender ballad with a healing balm.

KIP MOORE / “The Crown”
Writers: Andrew DeRoberts/Kip Moore/Luke Preston; Producers: Andrew DeRoberts, Kip Moore; Label: KM
– In a career that’s been built on barn-burning performances, this one truly scorches. Moore’s gripping rasp advises us to live life to the fullest, but be wary of crashes. His most fiery and fearsome single to date. This deserves massive exposure. Turn it up.

JASON SCOTT & HIGH HEAT / “Too Good, Too Bad”
Writers: Jason Scott/Taylor Johnson; Producers: Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson; Label: Leo33
– Rollicking and rootsy. As we bop along, we’re doing all kinda stuff that really isn’t good for us. But ain’t it fun? A good-time, feel-good single.

JAMIE O’NEAL / “Ole Heartache”
Writers: Ed Hill/Jamie O’Neal/Shaye Smith; Producer: Jamie O’Neal, Rodney Good; Label: BFD
– Languidly paced, to underscore the lonesome blues in the soaring tune. Deep twang guitar and aching harmonica work back her terrific vocal performance. Country music eloquence.

ELLA LANGLEY / “Choosin’ Texas”
Writers: Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Luke Dick/Miranda Lambert; Producers: Ben West, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert; Label: SAWGOD/Columbia
– She loses her Tennessee lover to a temptress from the Lone Star State. Langley’s singing has never sounded better than it does on this delightful two stepper. Park this on your playlist right next to Strait.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “I Sit in Parks”
Writer: Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River
– Airy and pretty. In a lilting soprano, Ballerini muses on her life’s direction, wistfully thinking about where she is and where she wants to be. Sophisticated and elegant sounding.

CARLY PEARCE / “Dream Come True”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Emily Weisband/Lauren Hungate/Tofer Brown; Producers: Ben West, Carly Pearce; Label: Big Machine Records
– She has it all, except for love. Pearce delivers the aching lyric with throaty, emotional force. This is country music royalty at work.

VINCE GILL / “Secondhand Smoke”
Writers: Derrick Southerland/Vince Gill; Producer: Vince Gill; Label: MCA Nashville
– This legend is in the midst of a monthly series of autobiographical EPs that chronicle his journey from Oklahoma. The series is titled 50 Years From Home. The title tune of the second EP recalls his late father with enormous heart and deep love. There is no finer living country-music artist. Nor one more beloved.

CODY JOHNSON / “Travelin’ Soldier”
Writer: Bruce Robison; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Records Nashville
– This masterpiece country song was a No. 1 hit for the Chicks in 2002. Johnson’s revival is packed with feeling and delivered with heart. His take on the tale of the lonely soldier who goes to die in Vietnam is a ringing reminder of what a great artist he is.

STEVE MARTIN, ALISON BROWN, JACKSON BROWNE, JEFF HANNA / “Dear Time”
Writers: Alison Brown/Steve Martin; Producer: Alison Brown, Garry West; Label: Compass Records
– Steve and Alison’s twin-banjo duet and droll banter during their appearance as presenters on last month’s CMA Awards were a breath of fresh air. They’ve also been promoting their new album on Jimmy Kimmel, The View, NPR, Jimmy Fallon and the IBMA Awards, which they co-hosted. The album’s track with vocalist Browne and Hannah on harmony vocals is a standout moment on the Safe, Sensible and Sane collection. Wistful, thoughtful, nostalgic, melodic and utterly enchanting. Vince Gill, The Indigo Girls, Della Mae, Tim O’brien and other guests also celebrate the album.