DISClaimer Single Reviews: Megan Moroney Brings Signature ‘Wit & Elan’

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Megan Moroney. Photo: Amber Asaly

Country music is here to warm your spirits while the weather howls outside.

Blake Shelton, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne and Lukas Nelson set the sonic bar high. Not to worry. Disc of the Day winner Megan Moroney matches their quality with ease.

Latin-country baritone Sunny Sauceda takes home this week’s DISCovery Award.

LEVI HUMMON / “Down to Earth”
Writers: Eric Arjes/Jen Schott/Levi Hummon; Producer: Eric Arjes; Label: Red Van Records
– This breezy, fizzy, bright, pop-country outing sizzles with energy. The ultra romantic lyric is supported by a video of Hummon’s beach wedding ceremony. You’ll wish you were there.

ASHLEY McBRYDE / “What If We Don’t”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Randall Clay/Terri Jo Box; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– The song is about throwing caution to the winds and taking romantic chances. A stately rhythm track marches it forward, and the choruses are stacked with harmonies. As always, she exudes emotional honesty. McBryde is booked for solo acoustic shows tonight and tomorrow at Chief’s Neon Steeple on Lower Broadway.

SUNNY SAUCEDA / “Sad Ole Country Song”
Writers: Mark Leon Lambert/Ronald H Day/Ronald Lynn Jackson; Producers: Stormy Cooper, Will Braun; Label: Azteca Ranch Music
– This is an instant classic. When things are going wrong, there’s nothing like the healing power of a downbeat hillbilly ditty, sings Sauceda. The jaunty tempo, steel-soaked production, twangin’ vocals, and super-catchy melody are all winners here. Get back to basics with this retro charmer.

MEGAN MORONEY / “Wish I Didn’t”
Writers: Emily Weisband/Hillary Lindsey/Luke Laird/Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Nashville/Columbia Records
– With tongue planted in cheek, she warns a faithless beau that there will be dire consequences if things don’t work out. A bopper performed with the wit and elan we have come to expect from this totally lovable star.

CAROLINE JONES / “You’re It For Me, Honey.”
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Caroline Jones/Lauren McLamb/Rob Grimaldi; Producers: Caroline Jones, Julian Raymond, Ric Wake; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– This bouncing thumper is an upbeat romance ditty with a deep-twang electric guitar, a densely compressed production, a cute lyric and a pert, personality-packed vocal. Tap yer toes and bounce along. Jones is a member of the Zac Brown Band.

PARKER McCOLLUM / “Big Ole Fancy House”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: MCA
– He’s rich but lonely, because she’s gone. His vocal is fine, but the muddy production drags him down.

LUKAS NELSON / “A Certain Someone”
Writers: Anderson East/Foy Vance/Lukas Nelson; Producer: Anderson East; Label: 6 Ace Records/Sony Music Nashville
– Gentle, wistful, yearning for love. His tender-yet-gritty vocal is super magnetic on this dreamy, beautifully written ballad. Applause, applause.

DAN SEALS & SARA EVANS / “Nights Are Forever”
Writer: Parker McGee; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Label: Melody Place
– They took Dan’s voice from this 1976 pop hit by England Dan & John Ford Coley. Sara added her sterling voice, but never overwhelmed his soulful delivery. Anything that reminds folks of how great he was is okay with me. Jamey Johnson, Luke Bryan and Jasmine Amy Rogers are also on board with new Dan Seals duets.

JOY OLADOKUN / “Nothing Comes Easy”
Writer: Joy Oladokun; Producer: Joy Oladokun; Label: Concord Records
– Critically acclaimed Oladokun marks her new label deal with Concord via this crisply produced, acoustic folk outing. It’s about persevering and being strong when the going gets rough. It’s also compelling listening.

BLAKE SHELTON / “Let Him in Anyway”
Writers: Carson Wallace/Kyle Clark/Michael Hardy/Zach Abend; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– A lovely sentiment. He has lost his best friend, who was a deeply flawed non believer. But he sends up a prayer for grace and forgiveness so that one day he will see his pal again in Heaven. As always, Shelton is a superb country vocalist.

CHASE MATTHEW / “Holdin’ It Down”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Chase Matthew/Ethan Escue/Evan Mayo/Jordan Centers/Presley Aaron; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Chase Matthew Music/Warner Records Nashville
– Rural, small-town life is good. City ways are bad. It took six men to write this tuneless cliche?

BROTHERS OSBORNE / “Love the Lonely Out of You”
Writers: Connie Harrington/John Osborne/TJ Osborne; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Records Nashville
– The duo is issuing a live version of this former album track. The slow, bluesy outing sounds way more sensuous in this spare arrangement with simple guitars and vocal.

COLIN STOUGH / “Best For You”
Writers: Colin Stough/Phillip Kane; Producer: Copeland Culp; Label: BBR Music Group
– This former American Idol finalist takes on a country heartache ballad. He’s devastated by the breakup, but he wishes her well nonetheless. The pace is a little plodding.

Robert K Oermann
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