DISClaimer Single Reviews: Wynonna’s Comeback Single Nabs Disc Of The Day
Wynonna. Photo: Thomas Crabtree
Kenny Sharp was in the running for the DISCovery Award, as was folkie STELLA LEFTY. But the prize was claimed by a retro-country newcomer from Down Under, Mack Geiger.
The Disc of the Day award goes to the comeback single by the always compelling Wynonna.
BRITTNEY SPENCER / “Sober Thoughts”
Writers: Brittney Spencer/Luke Laird/Sasha Alex Sloan; Producer: Jarrad K; Label: MNRK Music
– Enchanting. An echoey instrumental bed, some tasteful harmony vocals and a languid mood swirl through this meditation on tipsy romance making. Lovely work all around. If she doesn’t have a hit with this, someone should.
BRANTLEY GILBERT / “F****D ME UP”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Cole Taylor/Randy Montana; Producers: Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill; Label: Broken Bow Records
– Deserted, devastated and defeated. His gripping, broken vocal on this ballad grabs ahold and doesn’t let go. In the end, she saves him from his alcoholism. There is also a G-rated version titled “Messed Me Up.’ In either guise, it’s a powerful thing.
STELLA LEFTY & VINCENT MASON / “Something to Lose”
Writers: Grace Enger/Jon Decious/Luke Dick/STELLA LEFTY; Producers: Brett Truitt, Joe Reeves; Label: Atlantic Outpost
– Wistful folk-country with a spare production and softly conversational vocals.
SHABOOZEY / “Cowgirl”
Writers: Abas Pauti/Collins Chibueze/Jared Cotter/McKay Stevens/Nevin Sastry/Sean Cook/Whit Kane; Producers: Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– Rousing, catchy and infectious. Fiddles saw and guitars strum away on this Wild West fantasy. The track comes from a forthcoming western concept album titled The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales.
MACK GEIGER / “String By”
Writer: Mack Geiger; Producer: Jared Adlam; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia
– It looks like this Aussie newcomer is going to have a breakthrough hit with this gentle heartbreaker. His vocal style rings with country authenticity on the honky-tonk ballad. She’s trying to reel him back in, but he resists, because he’s been burned one too many times. Also check out the toe-tapping EP title tune “Walk a Straight Line.” Wildly promising. Geiger stages his Opry debut on June 23.
LAINEY WILSON & JOHN MAYER / “Phone, Keys, Wallet”
Writers: Dallas Wilson/Dan Pellarin/Jon Decious/Kid Harpoon/Lainey Wilson/Summer Overstreet/Trannie Anderson; Producers: John Mayer, Kid Harpoon; Label: Broken Bow Records
– In this groove-soaked, mid-tempo ditty, she lives in nutty chaos, but his love keeps her grounded. The guitar solos are courtesy of pop superstar John Mayer.
KENNY SHARP / “Amy”
Writers: Josh Ronen/Kenneth M. Sharpless/Tolan Shaw; Producer: Josh Ronen; Label: Brown Liquor Music
– Nashville’s Kenny Sharp calls his sound “Brown Liquor Music.” It mixes elements of funk, hip-hip, r&b and neo soul that fits easily into the Americana music mix. This bass-and-steel-backed steady thumper is a heartache moaner that’s hard to resist. Sharp is playing Bonnaroo tomorrow (June 12).
WYNONNA / “Kentucky Queen”
Writers: CACTUS MOSER/Justin Weaver/Sarah Siskind/Wynonna; Producer: CACTUS MOSER; Label: Anti/Epitaph
– Brilliantly produced. A funky, acoustic, poly-rhythmic, rump-shaking, gospel-blues-hillbilly pastiche that she sings the fire out of. This Country Music Hall of Fame member has a rootsy new sound that pushes all the audio pleasure buttons.
MAREN MORRIS / “Hard Liquor and Soft Rock”
Writers: Busbee/Maren Morris/Natalie Hemby; Producers: Jon Green, Maren Morris; Label: Columbia Nashville
– There’s something muffled and muddy about this bopping sound. It’s hooky and listenable, but her vocal is almost buried in the production.
LEE BRICE / “What You Know About That”
Writers: Andy Sheridan/Brian Davis/Lee Brice; Producer: Ben Glover, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice; Label: Curb Records
– A blue-collar, rockin’ summer anthem, mostly shouted rather than sung.
VINNY TOVAR / “Tequila Told Me”
Writers: Sam Tuten/Vicente Andres Tovar/Walker Tuten; Producers: Christopher Mora, Vinny Tovar; Label: Azteca Ranch Music
– It’s a tuneful, flirtatious ditty about a barroom hook-up. The mood is jaunty with an underlying tone of loneliness, and it’s country to the core. As far as I know, the Texas-based Azteca Ranch is the only label devoted to Latino country artists.
KIP MOORE / “The Darkness”
Writers: Andrew DeRoberts/Kip Moore/Luke Preston; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts, Kip Moore; Label: KM
– Righteous, fiery, passionate and oh-so rocking. This steadfast individualist blazes with apocalyptic energy. Moore is booked for a Grand Ole Opry performance this evening (June 11).
KEB’ MO’ / “Fussing and Fighting”
Writers: Arthur Adams/Kevin Moore; Producers: Keb’ Mo’, Zach Allen; Label: Concord Records
– Nashville’s greatest blues man strips it down to just his voice and acoustic guitar on his forthcoming album The Breakdown. On its lead single, he swings lightly over a chunky, six-string riff while mourning a crumbling relationship. Ear tickling and addictive.
