DISClaimer Single Reviews: Koe Wetzel & Ella Langley Team For Disc Of The Day

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Koe Wetzel & Ella Langley. Photo: Courtesy of Essential Broadcast Media

Hot enough for you?

Several of DISClaimer’s country records this week turn up the heat. Whether it’s smoldering ballads like those of Kenny Sharp, Carly Pearce, and Randy Travis or dance floor groovers like those of Corey Kent & Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, and Miranda Lambert, these tracks are sizzlers.

The Disc of the Day goes to another bopper, the Koe Wetzel & Ella Langley duet.

Our DISCovery Award act is Jason Scott & The High Heat, who underscore our temperature theme.

ADRIEN NUNEZ / “Wrong Way”
Writers: Adrien Nunez/Grant Averill/Jackson Foote/Joshua Murty/Peter Fenn; Producers: Joshua Murty, Peter Fenn; Label: Warner Records Nashville/Warner Records
– Thematically similar to “Bless the Broken Road,” but melodically wildly different due to the breezy tempo, gang-sung choruses and rippling production. His tenor voice has warmth and confidence.

LEE BRICE / “Me and Whiskey”
Writers: Lee Brice/Matt Alderman/Nate Kenyon; Producers: Cody LaBelle, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice; Label: Curb Records
– Structured like a Humpty Dumpty kiddie song. He’s lost his love, so instead of “k-i-s-s-i-n-g in a tree,” he’s “d-r-u-n-k in a bar.” Cleverly crafted.

GHOST HOUNDS / “Something Wicked”
Writer: Thomas J Tull; Producer: Thomas J Tull; Label: Maple House Records
– Intriguing, dramatic and eerie, it’s a country-rock look into the dark side. The band recently showcased on Kelly Clarkson’s TV show, has its Justified album release on Aug. 21, and is booked at 3rd & Lindsley on Sunday, Aug. 23.

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Sunset Marquis”
Writers: Ashley Monroe/David Garcia/Jesse Frasure/Miranda Lambert/Waylon Payne; Producers: Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert; Label: MCA
– Lambert is the co-writer and co-producer of Ella Langley’s massive “Choosin’ Texas.” She’s also still a superstar country recording artist, herself. Her new single is a wafting, bright-sounding, disco-ish, pop tune about getting away from it all. A decided change of pace for the Texas traditionalist.

KENNY WHITMIRE & VINCE GILL / “Movin’ On’s Movin’ In”
Writers: Carson Peters/Dan Alley/Kenny Whitmire; Producer: Lee Starr; Label: MCA
– Cool guitar licks. Snappy, bluesy, bopping tempo. Groovy heartache duet vocals. What’s not to love?

CARLY PEARCE / “Happy for Myself”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Emily Weisband/Jordan Reynolds/Lauren Hungate; Producers: Ben West, Carly Pearce; Label: Stoney Creek Records
– It’s a slow, mournful, beautifully produced waltz. She sees the wedding of another and sadly wonders when it’s going to be her turn to find True Love. A lovely little single.

RANDY TRAVIS / “I Don’t Care”
Writers: Michael Curtis/Randy Travis; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– Producer Kyle Lehning has been digging around old audio tapes and has found a cache of previously unreleased Randy Travis tunes. They’ll become a new Randy album, and until they do, here’s a sample of what we can expect. This ballad spotlights what an awesome honky-tonk singer he is. In the lyric, he explores the pain of betrayal and broken trust. You’ll hang on every line.

VINCE GILL & CYNDI THOMSON / “Eighteen Summers”
Writers: Cyndi Thomson/Vince Gill; Producers: Vince Gill; Label: MCA
– Rollicking and dance-happy in a Cajun-flavored kinda way. Get up and bop around the room while you marvel at a superstar in full command of his gifts.

JASON SCOTT & THE HIGH HEAT / “Fast as I Can Crawl”
Writers: Jason Scott/Scott Emerick/Trent Tomlinson; Producers: Chad Copelin, Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson; Label: Leo33
– Punchy and percolating. A stuttering banjo introduces a thumpy track that captivates the ear and tickles the toes. Scott’s laconic delivery depicts a toxic relationship that he’s addicted to. This Oklahoma band has the goods.

TYLER HUBBARD / “902180”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Emily Reid/Paul DiGiovanni/Travis Wood; Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks; Label: MCA
– He loses her because she loves the West Coast more than him. A downbeat lyric nestled in an upbeat musical setting.

COREY KENT & JASON ALDEAN / “Rather Be Here”
Writers: Daniel Ross/James McNair/Josh Miller/Michael Hardy/Morgan Wallen; Producers: Austin Goodloe, Corey Kent; Label: Sony Music Nashville/RCA Records Nashville
– They are both honky-tonk happy. Gritty guitars grind away while they wail this Southern rocker.

KOE WETZEL & ELLA LANGLEY / “Jaded”
Writers: Ella Langley/Ernest Keith Smith/Jordan Schmidt/Ropyr Wetzel; Producers: Gabe Simon, Jordan Schmidt; Label: Columbia Records
– Wetzel rolls into this tempo tune with aplomb, but it really takes off when Langley leads the choruses. The lyric asks a lover what happened to make them so cold, lonely, and broken hearted. It’s pretty dang irresistible

KENNY SHARP & DALONA / “Limbo”
Writers: Dalona Jones/Kenneth M. Sharpless/Lorenzo Piccone; Producers: Zakkary Garner; Label: Brown Liquor Music
– Nashville’s Kenny Sharp opens for Gladys Knight tonight (Aug. 13) at the Ryman. On this slow-burn bluesy outing, he showcases his neo-soul vocal bona fides to the max.

Robert K Oermann
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