DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kaitlin Butts Offers ‘A Breathtaking Single’

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Kaitlin Butts. Photo: Thomas Crabtree

It’s a day for ballads here at DISClaimer.

Randy Travis, Ana Cristina Cash, Hudson Westbrook, Emily Ann Roberts and Caylee Hammack/Trisha Yearwood are all issuing slowies this week. So is Kaitlin Butts, who wins the Disc of the Day award.

Also pay heed to Butts’ closest competitors, Roberts, Westbrook, LOCASH and K. Michelle.

EMILY ANN ROBERTS / “Thread”
Writers: Emily Ann Roberts/Jessi Alexander/Ben Williams; Producer: Derek Bason; Label: RECORDS/Sony
– Her singing is wonderfully captivating and heart-meltingly country. This heartache ballad is the title tune of her new 5-song EP. The Appalachian songbird is a richly deserving CMA New Artist of the Year nominee.

CAYLEE HAMMACK & TRISHA YEARWOOD / “Coldest Shoulder”
Writers: Caylee Hammack/Bandana Cheyenna; Producers: Caylee Hammack & Kurt Ozan; Label: CH
– In this ballad’s lyric, he’s emotionally distant, but she burns with desire. The two women’s voices blend flawlessly as they sing of disappointment and heartbreak.

RYAN HURD / “Emergency Contact”
Writers: Ryan Hurd/Brett Tyler/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Joey Hyde; Label: Combustion Masters
– Hurd is a powerhouse songwriter who has co-penned hits for Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Maren Morris, Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Lady A, John Pardi, Bailey Zimmerman, Thomas Rhett and many more. He’s also a dandy record maker. His upbeat “Glory” roars with conviction. In “Emergency Contact,” he wonders if his ex would show up if he were hospitalized. The track is somewhat overproduced, but his singing and the song are solid.

K. MICHELLE / “Handle On It”
Writers: Kimberly Pate/Tomy G/Kelly Sheehan/David Mescon/Thomas Edwards; Producers: K. Michelle & Kristian Bush; Label: BBR
– The Memphis-bred singer-songwriter is a Platinum R&B artist who is pivoting to country music. Her new Jesus & Whiskey album includes such audio delights as “Yodel,” “Jack Daniel’s” and the title tune. If there’s even slightest doubt that she’s a Real Deal country performer, this jaunty, steel-soaked track utterly erases it. As country as cornbread.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Rock the Jukebox”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/David Garcia/Hunter Phelps; Producers: Dylan Marlowe & Joe Fox; Label: Sony
– While a thumping rhythm track burbles along, he name-checks country hits while thinking about her. Unlike Alan Jackson in “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” Marlowe wants to hear rock music when he’s broken hearted. So the meat of the track is loaded with loud electric guitars.

HUDSON WESTBROOK / “Thin Ice”
Writers: Hudson Westbrook/Dan Alley/Reid Haughton/Kenny Whitmire; Producers: Lukas Scott & Ryan Youmans; Label: River House / Warner
– This slow, sensuous groover is a smooth-sounding kiss-off tune. His soft, sultry delivery sounds so inviting that it’s easy to overlook the sting in the lyrics. Highly listenable.

KAITLIN BUTTS / “What More Could You Want”
Writers: Kaitlin Butts/Tofer Brown/Natalie Hemby; Producers: Tofer Brown; Label: Republic
– Her voice is simply delicious. In this lilting piano ballad, soft strings back her gripping meditation on show-business image making and self doubt. A breathtaking single. Butts will launch her “Hello Honky Tonk” tour next Thursday (Oct. 29) at Skinny Dennis on Gallatin Pike. Be there. The album of the same name drops the next day.

LOCASH / “Where My Stars Line Up”
Writers: Taylor Phillips/Jeffery East/Preston Brust/Chris Lucas; Producers: Jacob Rice; Label: Galaxy Label Group
– The durable duo maintains its reputation for excellence with this beautifully produced outing. Brust and Lucas harmonize perfectly on this dreamy, midtempo romance lyric. An enthralling listening experience. The new album, Chris & Preston, drops tomorrow.

RANDY TRAVIS / “I Know Where I’d Be Without You”
Writers: Michael Curtis/Randy Travis; Producers: Kyle Lehning; Label: Warner
– A classic voice with a dynamite love ballad from the vault. Listen closely. This is the sound of country perfection.

ANA CRISTINA CASH / “The Harpeth River”
Writers: Ana Cristina Cash/John Carter Cash; Producers: John Carter Cash; Label: ACC
– Written as an homage to Loretta Lynn, “The Harpeth River” glistens with acoustic backing and gentle ambiance. Marty Stuart and Alison Krauss join Cash on vocal harmonies.

GABBY BARRETT / “Every Minute Of It”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Dave Haywood/Emily Weisband/James McNair/Seth Mosley; Producers: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner
– She’s relaxing, letting go, and letting the chips fall where they may. The pop-country track is somewhat drowsy and dull sounding.

ANGALEENA PRESLEY / “Murder for Hire”
Writer: Angaleena Presley; Producers: Angaleena Presley & Jed Presley; Label: AP
– It’s been way too long since we’ve heard from this artist. Her comeback single is written with wit, but has more than a whiff of garage in its production. Lo-fi and sonically cluttered.

Robert K Oermann
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