DISClaimer Single Reviews: Toby Keith Shows Off His Mighty Vocals On ‘Oklahoma Breakdown’

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Sunday is Father’s Day, and the country acts are making sure you don’t forget it.

Greg Freeman, Tyler Booth, Porter Howell, Sarantos and Gary Quinn all have timely “dad” tunes this week, of which Porter’s and Tyler’s are the best.

That said, the Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to Toby Keith. He’s battling the Big C this summer, but is still keeping us company with his excellent “Oklahoma Breakdown.”

Warner newcomer Bailey Zimmerman takes home this week’s DISCovery Award.

PORTER HOWELL / “I Thought About You Today”
Writer: Porter Howell; Producer: Ian Steward; Label: PHM
–Have a box of tissues handy for this one. The heart-tugging ballad is for all of us whose fathers are no longer with us. Howell sings it with a touch of lump-in-throat hoarseness, adding to its emotional impact.

TYLER BOOTH / “Hey Dad”
Writers: Tyler Booth/Dave Turnbull/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Label: Sony/Villa 40
–His resonant baritone and a lustrous production propel this reflection on the life lessons his father imparted. Booth muses on how he pursues his career without letting go of the values dad raised him with. The chorus is a dandy.

GARY QUINN / “He’s My Dad”
Writer: Gary Quinn; Producer: Richard Alex; Label: GQM
–His father isn’t a superhero in a cape, but Quinn aspires to be like him nonetheless. Sung in a plaintive tenor, this is a gentle, lightweight, somewhat forgettable meditation. The singer is a pretty big star in the U.K. country scene.

SARANTOS / “Father’s Day”
Writer: Sam Speron; Producer: none listed; Label: Sarantos
–Where to begin? He wobbles off pitch in every line. The production is a big, sour cheeseball. The lyric seems to be in an alien dialect. It’s a wonder his father didn’t disown him.

THOMAS RHETT & RILEY GREEN / “Half of Me”
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins/William Bundy/Josh Thompson; Producers: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure; Label: Valory
–Now here’s a real Father’s Day gift, an artist who co-writes hit songs with his daddy. This time, Rhett and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Akins have collaborated on a super fun summertime anthem, “Half of me wants a cold beer…and the other half wants two.” In this heat, I say, “Amen” to that.

LILY ROSE / “I’d Be You”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Mark Holman/Morgan Wallen/Michael Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud/Republic
–Things go along okay with this pop track until you get to the chorus, which is completely muddy, cluttered and barely intelligible.

CHRIS LANE & LAUREN ALAINA / “Dancin’ in the Moonlight”
Writers: Jesse Frasure/Sherman Kelly/Brett Tyler; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–Songwriter Sherman Kelly is the author of the uber catchy 1972 King Harvest pop/rock hit with this title. This tuneful track amends it into a country delight.

TOBY KEITH / “Oklahoma Breakdown”
Writer: Michael Hosty; Producers: Toby Keith/Kenny Greenberg; Label: Show Dog
–So soulful and so cool. The thumping track makes your rump shake, Toby’s mighty vocal is a listening delight and the whole bluesy thang cooks with gas. Get well, buddy, we’ll spin this turned up extra loud while we pull for your recovery.

HANK WILLIAMS JR. / “Fireman Ring the Bell”
Writer: R.L. Burnside; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye
–The legendary Mississippian Burnside is one of many great bluesmen whose songs infuse the new Bocephus collection Rich White Honky Blues, which drops tomorrow (June 17). Auerbach’s production keeps things simple, focussing on the repeated blazing guitar licks and Hank’s always expressive voice. The album also features the superstar taking on raw, rootsy tunes by Robert Johnson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner and himself (”Call Me Thunderhead” refers to his survival after falling off a mountain in 1975). File this one under “Honest.”

BILL ANDERSON & DOLLY PARTON / “Someday It’ll All Make Sense”
Writers: Bill Anderson/Bobby Tomberlin/Ryan Larkins; Producers: Bill Anderson/Thom Jutz; Label: MCA Nashville
–An instant classic. Produced with crystalline acoustic perfection, the ballad is a country-gospel jewel and the two legends harmonize exquisitely. We are so blessed to have these gifted living legends among us.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN / “Fall in Love”
Writers: Austin Shawn/Bailey Zimmerman/Gavin Lucas; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Warner/Elektra
–His passionate tenor singing has a raspy urgency that is quite winning. The power ballad is somewhat wordy, but gets the heartbreak job done. Send more.

GREG FREEMAN / “When Dad and I Went Fishin’”
Writer: Greg Freeman; Producer: Art Bain; Label: Diving In Entertainment
–Sincere, but shakey. His vocal has a mite too much vibrato and the ballad is rather simplistic. But he means well, and it shows.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Eric Church Demonstrates ‘Country Music Brilliance’ On New Single

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Eric Church performs. Photo: Anthony D’Angio

Today’s DISClaimer is a ringing reminder of how meaningful country music can be when it is at its best.

And country music doesn’t come any better than Eric Church, who takes home his umpteenth Disc of the Day prize from this column.

We have several promising newcomers vying for our attention in this stack of tunes. I was deliriously smitten by the fresh sounds of MacKenzie Carpenter, Drake Milligan, Catie Offerman, Kimberly Kelly, Bryan Ruby and Coffey Anderson. The rocking performance by Drake Milligan wins him this week’s DISCovery Award.

CATIE OFFERMAN / “Don’t Do It In Texas”
Writers: Catie Offerman/Nicolle Galyon/Ryan Beaver; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: MCA
–Tuneful and yearning. She’s getting ready for him to split, but begs him not to dump her in her beloved Lone Star State. Promising in the extreme. Offerman will make her performance debut during CMA Fest on Saturday at 4:00 on the Maui Jim Reverb Stage.

ERIC CHURCH / “Doing Life With Me”
Writers: Eric Church/Casey Beathard/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI
–I will never get over how great this artist is. Every note he sings goes straight to my hillbilly heart. This new performance is country-music brilliance. He muses on his imperfections while giving thanks to loved ones for being on his life’s journey. A mandolin trills, backing vocalists shadow his gently expressive performance and percussion shuffles along. Play it again.

BRYAN RUBY / “Left Field”
Writers: Andrew Capra/Chad Sellers/Bryan Ruby; Producer: Smith Curry; Label: BR
–Very cool. Ruby is a professional minor-league baseball player, but the title doesn’t refer to the game as you might expect. Instead, to a brisk, lively tempo, he urges you to live your life bearing in mind that some of the best things in it will come unexpectedly from out of nowhere. Proceeds from this ultimately playable single will go to his charity Proud To Be in Baseball, since he is the sport’s first openly gay athlete.

GARY ALLAN / “Ruthless”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Busbee/Ryan Hurd; Producers: Mark Wright/Tony Brown; Label: EMI
–The title tune of Gary’s 2021 comeback collection is now the name of his post-COVID comeback tour. It’s a stately heartache ballad embellished with soulful organ and punchy horn accents. Bluesy and righteous.

COFFEY ANDERSON / “Blessed”
Writers: Sean Squires/Stephen Hunley/Bobby McLamb; Producers: Coffey Anderson/Ilya Toshinsky; Label: Riser House
–I love country spelling songs. “I’m B-L-E-double S-E-D” he warbles in a softly furry tenor while the band kicks up some twang-dust behind him. It’s all about being thankful, affirming and positive, and I can certainly endorse that. Anderson stars in a Netflix reality series about his life titled Country Ever After.

JORDAN DAVIS / “What My World Spins Around”
Writers: Jordan Davis/Matt Dragstrem/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA
–Endearing. He’s a country boy, head over heels in love. The performance is downright joyous, and the production has all the thumping, shuddering oomph it needs. Dear radio: I’d sure like to hear this in heavy rotation. Thank you.

NICOLLE GALYON / “Winner”
Writers: Nicolle Galyon/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producers: King Henry/Jimmy Robbins; Label: Songs & Daughters
–One of Nashville’s most successful songwriters (“Tequila,” “Automatic,” etc.) is issuing an autobiographical song cycle titled Firstborn. The musical memoir’s first single is a simply lovely outing pairing her intimate soprano with a spare, folkie production that wafts like a spring breeze. This is music to get lost in. I must have this album.

CARLOS SANTANA & CHRIS STAPLETON / “Joy”
Writers: Carlos Santana/Chris Stapleton; Producer: Chris Stapleton; Label: BMG
–The Latin rock titan hits hot guitar licks in between Stapleton’s bluesy wailing. This seemingly oddball collaboration works better than you might think. It’s for the hidden hippie in all of us. You’ll find it on Satana’s new album Blessings and Miracles.

ADAM HOOD & MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Harder Stuff “
Writers: Brent Cobb/Charlie Starr/Adam Keith Hood/Davis Nix; Producer: Brent Cobb; Label: AH
–Nashville songwriting champ Hood sings of his newfound sobriety in this plaintive ballad while superstar Miranda lends her support with perfectly placed harmony vocals. It’s very slow and deliberate, but rings with honesty and truth. There’s an extended instrumental coda that keeps the mood lingering.

KIMBERLY KELLY & STEVE WARINER / “Blue Jean Country Queen”
Writers: Kimberly Kelly/Brett Tyler/Steve Wariner; Producer: Brett Tyler; Label: Show Dog/Thirty Tigers
–This is a snappy toe-tapper that rocks along with vim and verve. Kelly’s sprightly delivery has twang to spare. Wariner is along for some soft harmony singing and a red-hot guitar solo.

DRAKE MILLIGAN / “Sounds Like Something I’d Do”
Writers: Brett Beavers/Drake Milligan/Terry McBride; Producers: Brandon Hood/Tony Brown; Label: Stoney Creek
–Milligan wowed them on America’s Got Talent on Tuesday with this barn burner. He has the physical presence of an Elvis, the deep-baritone dips of a Merle and the honky-tonk authenticity of a Strait. I think this kid might be a star. Get on board and rock with him ‘til ya get dizzy.

MacKENZIE CARPENTER / “Can’t Nobody”
Writers: Brigetta Truitt/Peytan Porter/MacKenzie Carpenter; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Valory
–“Can’t nobody write a song like Dolly.” “Can’t nobody love June like Johnny.” “Can’t nobody break a heart like you.” This midtempo, sweet/sad, swirly confection introduces a gal who sounds like a major contender. Spin it.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Ty Herndon Gives Radio Ready Performance On ‘Till You Get There’

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June is Pride Month, and for the first time in its history, country music can fully participate.

If you had told me even five years ago that there would be enough gay country artists to fill a DISClaimer column, I would have said, “No way, ever.” Today, there are hugely more than enough. And that’s not even including such high-profile folks as T.J. Osborne and Brandy Clark.

The Disc of the Day award goes to pioneering “out” star Ty Herndon. The DISCovery honoree is Brandon Stansell.

GINA VENIER / “Nora Jane”
Writers: Gina Venier/Savana Santos/Summer Overstreet; Producers: Gina Venier/Rian Ball; Label: GV
–Gina introduced this compelling ballad of loving another woman at a Song Suffragettes show this year, and the performance is now on YouTube. Next, Hunter Kelly featured her on his Proud Radio show on Apple Music Country. She is also among the performers at this year’s Pride Fest in Nashville (June 22-23).

WAYLON PAYNE / “7:28”
Writers: Angalenna Pressley/Wade Bowen/Waylon Payne; Producers: Frank Liddell/Eric Masse; Label: Carnival
–The son of the late country celebs Sammi Smith & Jody Payne came out several years ago and remains one of the country community’s most gifted songwriting voices. His current video is a stunning, devastating rumination on loss and grief. Also check out his excellent LP Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me.

JAIME WYATT / “Demon Tied a Chair to My Brain”
Writers: Dax Riggs/Matthew Sweeney; Producer: Shooter Jennings; Label: New West
–Wyatt isn’t in your face about her sexuality on her Neon Cross country-outlaw album. There’s a song called “Rattlesnake Girl” that makes reference to it, but most of the songs are just wildly wonderful honky tonkers. She has a piercing, stone-country voice that on this track she backs with wailing harmonica punctuations while her snarling band sizzles along. Also check out the rockabilly title tune.

HARPER GRAE / “I Like Ya Like That”
Writers: Forrest Finn/Harper Grae; Producer: none listed; Label: HG
–Her soulful soprano dances around jittery guitar and banjo notes on this sensuous rocker. Mighty fine listening. Grae’s EP is titled Confessions of a Good Southern Lady, and it is well worth your attention.

FANCY HAGOOD / “Bored”
Writers: Fancy Hagood/Alysa Vanderheym; Producer: Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Concord
–Don’t be put off by the acoustic, underproduced beginning. As the band kicks in, he muses about all the things we do to keep from facing our realities. We might lose our way, but there’s always a road to bring you back. Nashville has a large recovery community, and this could be its anthem.

BRANDON STANSELL / “Wild Ride”
Writers: Brandon Stansell/Mylen; Producer: Julian Hoffman Beechko; Label: PEG
–His husky tenor has an attractive intimacy that contrasts nicely with a percussive, country-rock production on his new single. The whole thing has an airy, open “California” vibe, although tradition-minded programmers might find the extended sax solo problematic. The former Taylor Swift backup dancer was previously noted for his Cam duet “Hurt People.”

CODY BELEW / “Crimes”
Writer: Cody Belew; Producer: Cody Belew; Label: Visionary Media
–This former DISCovery Award winner brings intense bluesy drama to this steeped-in-soul performance of a cry from the heart. It speaks out against the violence and injustice that has been so long been leveled at gay men. Belew has a series of upcoming dates at The Lipstick Lounge, the first of which is June 18.

BROOKE EDEN / “Got No Choice”
Writers: Brooke Eden/Jesse Frasure/Cary Barlowe; Producer: Jesse Frasure; Label: BBR
–Brooke features her partner Hilary Hoover in her videos, including this one with lots of romantic footage. It’s a merry, bopping, bright love song that’s on the pop side of pop-country.

BILLY GILMAN / “Soldier”
Writers: Adrianna Mondelli/Corey Britz/Travis Ference; Producer: none listed; Label: BG
–The former child star and The Voice alumnus is shouting and forceful on this stomper about perseverance and survival. Its video is being used in the promotional material on his current tour.

KATIE PRUITT / “Loving Her”
Writer: Katie Pruitt; Producers: Katie Pruitt/Michael Robinson; Label: Rounder
–Rippling with guitars and powered by her clear, achingly expressive soprano, this is a joyous, uplifting, sunny ode to same-sex love. Her debut album, Expectations, has met with great favor on NPR this year. Nashvillian Pruitt was previously noted in DISClaimer for her witty “Merry Christmas, Mary Jane” during the Yule of 2021.

TY HERNDON / “Till You Get There”
Writers: Ty Herndon/Jamie Floyd/Erik Halbig/Jimmy Thow; Producer: Jimmy Thow; Label: Pivotal
–He still sings so splendidly. This driving, uptempo outing has a cool, uplifting message as well as rampaging rhythm. Soaring, pulse-quickening and radio ready.

ORVILLE PECK / “Daytona Sand”
Writer: Orville Peck; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Columbia
–The guy with throaty, dramatic baritone and the fringed mask is back with a super exciting country rocker that rumbles and twangs in all the right places. It’s like a jacked up spaghetti-western soundtrack. It’s quite a ride, so hold on tight.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Carly Pearce Shines On Newest Single, ‘What He Didn’t Do’

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Different is good.

I like it that there are so many quirky, left-field tracks in today’s edition of DISClaimer. Whether it’s the delightful reworking of “Heads Carolina” by Cole Swindell, the psychedelic pop of Pillbox Patti, the Dirt Band’s all-star Bob Dylan homage or the “Mary Wanna” wordplay of DISCovery Award winner Jason Nix, it’s all good.

We have three Disc of the Day honorees. The male winner is Dalton Dover, who is singing his face off on “Hear About a Girl.” The female winner is the sublimely gifted Carly Pearce. The group award goes to the lovely “Never Til Now” duet by Ashley Cooke & Brett Young.

WADE SAPP / “Smoke”
Writers: Wade Sapp; Producer: none listed; Label: WS
–The backing is southern-rock lite, with a nifty electric-guitar riff and punchy percussion. His vocal, however, is solidly backwoods country rather than rock. The two elements of this sound just don’t seem to mesh.

RONNIE DUNN & JAKE WORTHINGTON / “Honky Tonk Town”
Writers: David Chamberlain/Jacob Lyds/Robert Howett/Ronnie Dunn; Producer: Ronnie Dunn; Label: RD
–It’s perfectly okay twanger, but nothing really special as a song. Vocally, however, this record is outstanding. As great as Ronnie is, tenor newcomer Worthington holds his own as a bent-note phraser, high-note reacher and old-school champion.

DALTON DOVER / “Hear About a Girl”
Writers: Adam Craig/Michael Carter/Jim McCormick; Producer: Matt McV; Label: Droptine
–Beautifully done. I loved his prior single, and this confirms my belief that we’re in the presence of a master country talent when this man sings. The power ballad gives him the space to stretch his range and volume. Make him a star. Now.

CARLY PEARCE / “What He Didn’t Do”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Ashley Gorley/Emily Shackleton; Producers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Label: Big Machine
–Everything she touches shines like polished gold. As always, her country vocal is a burning arrow of emotional truth. Still the queen of my heart.

LAINEY WILSON / “Heart Like a Truck”
Writers: Dallas Wilson/Lainey Wilson/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Broken Bow
–Okay, the simile is totally weird, and no matter how many times she sings it, a heart and a truck are not even remotely comparable. That said, she performs the tune with loads of hillbilly soul.

TY HERNDON / “Till You Get There”
Writers: Ty Herndon/Jamie Floyd/Erik Halbig/Jimmy Thow; Producer: Jimmy Thow; Label: Pivotal
–He still sings so splendidly. This driving, uptempo outing has a cool, uplifting message as well as rampaging rhythm. Soaring, pulse-quickening and radio ready.

JASON NIX / “Mary Wanna”
Writers: Jason Nix/Driver Williams; Producer: Chip Matthews; Label: Jody Williams Songs/Warner Chappell Music
–He’s falling for a rebel girl who’s gonna do whatever she wants. And, yes, that means, “Mary wanna get me high/Mary wanna free my mind.” Funky, rocking and fun.

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND, ROSANNE CASH, STEVE EARLE, JASON ISBELL, & THE WAR & TREATY / “The Times They Are A-Changin'”
Writer: Bob Dylan; Producers: Ray Kennedy/Jeff Hanna; Label: NGDB
–The new Dirt Does Dylan album is just stunning and perhaps nowhere more so than on this stirring, all-star revival of one of its greatest songs. Jeff Hanna kicks it off, then each of the brilliant guests takes a shot at this timeless masterpiece. Essential.

COLE SWINDELL / “She Had Me at Heads Carolina”
Writers: Mark Sanders/Ashley Glenn Gorley/Cole Swindell/Thomas Rhett/Jesse Frasure/James Timothy Nichols; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Warner
–Wonderfully clever. The song adopts the rollicking tune of Jo Dee Messina’s 1996 smash “Heads Carolina, Tails California” “(written by Mark D. Sanders & Tim Nichols) to tell the tale of a barroom guy who falls in love with the gal singing it on karaoke night. Bopping and joyous.

PILLBOX PATTI / “Young and Stupid”
Writers: Nicolette Hayford/Aaron Raitiere/Ashley McBryde/Park Chisolm/Benjy Davis/Connie Harrington/Joe Clemmons; Producer: Park Chisolm; Label: Monument
–Pillbox Patti is the stage name of tunesmith Nicolette Hayford, who has penned songs for Ashley McBryde, Lainey Wilson, William Michael Morgan and more while en route to her 2021 win as MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year. Her disc debut is kinda psychedelic, with echoey electronics and soft, stacked vocal harmonies. It’s all airy, gentle, pastel colored…. and thoroughly intriguing.

ASHLEY COOKE & BRETT YOUNG / “Never Til Now”
Writers: Matt Roy/Ashley Cooke; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Big Loud/BMLG
–Gorgeous. Ashley takes the lead, with Brett shadowing her in pitch-perfect, flawless harmony. She never dreamed of settling down, until now. It’s love, love, love in every note of this exquisitely produced performance. Listen and believe.

TYLER HUBBARD / “5 Foot 9”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Jaren Johnston/Chase McGill; Producers: Tyler Hubbard/Jordan Schmidt; Label: EMI
–Breezy. Bubbling tempo, drawled vocal, acoustic picking and sunny attitude are all in the recipe of this soundtrack song for summer.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: RaeLynn Delivers ‘Best Single Of Her Career’

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Tempo rules today in DISClaimer.

It sounds like the country acts are gearing up for summertime by issuing sunny toe tappers. Check out the energy in the new tracks by Kylie Morgan, Nate Smith, Kassi Ashton and our joint Disc of the Day winners, Chris Janson and RaeLynn.

The DISCovery Award goes to a dude billed as CWBY. That’s “cowboy” without vowels. I usually dislike hip-hop flavored country, largely because one reason that I’m a country fan is that I love to hear people singing and playing real instruments. Records with men yelling at me just don’t appeal. But this in spite of his undeniable influences, this guy does sing, and sing well.

NATE SMITH / “Whiskey On You”
Writers: Nate Smith/Lindsay Rimes/Russell Sutton; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Sony
–The power voiced newcomer soars into the summer sky with this rocking ode to surviving a breakup. Ringing guitars and a relentless rhythm section back his ferocious singing. I remain a big fan.

INGRID ANDRESS / “Seeing Someone Else”
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Jesse Frasure/Derrick Southerland; Producers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis; Label: Warner
–Her vocal range is on full display here as she transitions from a darkly intimate alto in the verses to a blazing soprano in the choruses. The lyric isn’t what you might expect from the title. The “someone else,” is another side of herself. Melodically, it hews closer to sophisticated pop than anything else.

CWBY / “Insecure”
Writers: Gerald Mithcell/Nick Shoffner; Producer: none listed; Label: CDX
–Previously self-billed as “The Cannabis Cowboy,” this California guy has a piercing tenor voice that is tinted with equal parts of country and hip-hop. The track is all electronic loops and bloops, the melody is spare and there is a ton of audio processing. But there is a certain sincerity here as he calls out a lover’s anxiety and uncertainty.

BRETT ELDREDGE / “Wait Up For Me”
Writers: Mark Trussell/Brett Eldredge/Heather Morgan; Producer: Mark Trussell; Label: Warner
–“Songs About You” continues to rise as the single. Here’s another taste from his upcoming album by that title. It’s a video of a sultry, stately love ballad that promises a night of passion. Steady piano chords back his instantly intimate baritone.

JENNA PAULETTE / “El Paso”
Writers: Jenna Paulette/Jacob Durrett/Robyn Collins; Producer: none listed; Label: JP
–She’s in CMT’s “Next Women of Country” class of ‘22. In this gentle slowie, Jenna’s on the road and wistfully missing her cowboy who has “a way with that lasso/Pulling me back to El Paso.” Breezy and sweet.

CHRIS JANSON / “Keys to the Country”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chris Janson/Dallas Davidson/Zach Crowell; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Warner
–Rollicking and romping. The lyric covers tiresome, well-worn territory–riding and rolling in his pickup truck headed for the farmer field with ice cold beer and his honey. But the sheer joy and energy in the performance are utterly irresistible. I’m in.

KYLIE MORGAN / “Love Like We’re Drunk”
Writers: Kylie Morgan/Jeff Garrison/Brian White; Producers: Ben Johnson/Shane McAnally; Label: EMI
–Her pert, girlish singing voice contrasts with the slammin’ beats in the production of this neighborly upbeat ode to fellowship, happiness, unity and togetherness. Jaunty, if not exactly timeless.

MATT STELL / “Man Made”
Writers: Brett Sheroky/Ian Christian; Producer: Matt Stell/Ash Bowers; Label: Records
–“If a man made anything, it’s ‘cause a woman made that man.” If there’s one thing that is true of all good country music, it’s a beautifully crafted lyric. Like this one.

DANNI LEIGH / “My Arms Stay Open Late”
Writers: Melba Montgomery/Danni Leigh; Producer: none listed; Label: BFD/Audium
–Danni has been absent from the scene for 15 years. Her twanging, vibrato-vocal, two-step comeback is as solidly country as all get out. No wonder: Her cowriter is one of the greatest female traditionalists in the genre’s history.

JEFF “SKUNK” BAXTER & CLINT BLACK / “Bad Move”
Writers: Jeff Baxter/Clint Black/CJ Vanston; Producers: Jeff Baxter/CJ Vanston; Label: BMG/Renew
–Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Baxter is famed for his guitar mastery in Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers. For his solo album, he recruited a variety of stellar lead vocalists. This collaboration features a bluesy performance by country star Black, blended with rocking, ear grabbing instrumental complexity. Brilliantly recorded and superbly listenable.

MITCHELL TENPENNY & TEDDY SWIMS / “Elephant In the Room”
Writers: Sam Sumser/Christian Griswold/Jaten Dimsdale/Mitchell Tenpenny/Sean Small; Producer: Sean Small/Jordan Schmidt/Sam Sumser; Label: Sony
–Pop, pop, pop, without the slightest nod toward Tenpenny’s country constituency.

RAELYNN / “I Love My Hometown”
Writers: RaeLynn/Corey Crowder/Brian Kelley/Canaan Smith; Producer: Corey Crowder; Label: Round Here
–Everything works here. Her Texas-twang vocal, the delightful lyrics, the terrific energy in the uptempo track, the stuttering guitar solo, the zippy production values. For my money, it’s the best single of her career to date.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson Glitters With The Dust Of ‘Superstardom’

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Cody Johnson

It’s all country stars, no waiting, in this edition of DisClaimer.

Darius Rucker, Kane Brown and Easton Corbin are all here. There are so many stars that they come in pairs—Chris Janson & Eric Church, Dylan Scott & Jimmie Allen, Chris Young & Old Dominion, Elle King & Dierks Bentley.

In a column filled with memorable performances, unstoppable Cody Johnson edges a win for the Disc of the Day prize.

The DisCovery Award goes to the wonderfully original Adam Raitiere.

AARON RAITIERE / “Single Wide Dreamer”
Writer: Aaron Raitiere/Jon Decious; Producers: Miranda Lambert/Anderson East; Label: Dinner Time/Thirty Tigers
— This guy is so left-field cool. His lazy vocal drawl, quirky lyrics and spare, funky production are all terrifically ear catching. This is the title tune of an album that’s in league with such greats as John Prine and Todd Snider. You absolutely need to hear this man’s music.

KANE BROWN / “Like I Love Country Music”
Writers: Kane Brown/Matthew McGuinn/Taylor Phillips/Jordan Schmidt; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA
— Bold sounding and rockin.’ So cleverly written, with its name drops of Johnny & June, Willie, Alan, Brooks & Dunn and Jones. Instrumentally, it’s somewhat “busy” sounding, but there’s no denying the hearty vocal.

FILMORE / “Mean Something”
Writers: Filmore/Will Weatherly/Michael Whitworth; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Curb
— An echoey track and wafting audio atmosphere set the stage for an expressive vocal about working on the road and missing loved ones. Moody and mournful.

EASTON CORBIN / “I Can’t Decide”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Easton Corbin/Rhett Akins/Wade Kirby; Producers: Derek George/Wade Kirby; Label: Stone Country
— She’s so pretty in every way that he can’t decide which “look” she should put on for their date. I dig it that his vocal is mixed so crystal clear in the midst of a storming uptempo track.

BREI CARTER / “Paybacks”
Writers: Brei Carter/Jason Campbell/Terry Smith; Producer: Jason Wyatt; Label: BC
— The Louisiana singer-songwriter is feisty and fierce on this kiss-off power ballad. Snarling electric guitar, stomping tempo and solidly country attitude are the hallmarks here.

CHRIS YOUNG & OLD DOMINION / “Everybody Needs a Song”
Writers: Brad Francis Tursi/Chris Young/Chris DeStefano; Producers: Chris Young/Chris DeStefano; Label: Sony
— “When we can’t find the words, the radio can.” Truer words about country music were never spoken, and the mini portraits in this lyric are dandy (“Spring breakers need a fast one,” “Prom night needs a dance,” “Heartbreaks need a melody,” etc.). Marvelously well written and sung with gusto.

CODY JOHNSON / “Human”
Writers: Tony Lane/Travis Meadows; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Warner
— I didn’t think it was possible to follow a perfect performance like “’Til You Can’t,” but this stunning meditation on frailty and mistakes is just as breathtaking. This man is dusted with the glitter of superstardom.

CHRIS JANSON & ERIC CHURCH / “You, Me and the River”
Writer: Eric Church; Producers: Tommy Cecil/Chris Janson; Label: Warner
— Wow. A murder ballad. This is drenched in darkness, drama and doom. A shuddering electric guitar, thumped slow percussion and minor-key theatrics frame their ultra compelling, chilling performance. An awesome performance by both men.

DYLAN SCOTT & JIMMIE ALLEN / “In Our Blood”
Writers: David Fanning/Brad Rempel/Matt McGuinn; Producers: Will Weatherly/Matt Alderman; Label: Curb
— “We all bleed red at the end of the day.” It’s an oomphy anthem of brotherhood and unity that cuts across racial, cultural and religious lines. Scott takes the lead with Allen shadowing him with phrases and lines.

JESSIE JAMES DECKER / “Should Have Known Better”
Writer: Tom Barnes/Pete Kelleher/Benjamin Kohn/Madi Yanofsky; Producers: Matt McVaney/Scott Hendricks/TMS; Label: Warner/Atlantic/Big Yellow Dog
— A sassy, moving-on stomper that’s packed with femme attitude.

DARIUS RUCKER / “Same Beer Different Problem”
Writers: Darius Rucker/Tofer Brown/Sarah Buxton/Brad Tursi; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol
— Rollicking. Made for a summer afternoon with brews handy. Crank it up and sing along.

ELLE KING & DIERKS BENTLEY / “Worth a Shot”
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony
— The “Different for Girls” duet partners return with an energetic, irresistible, forward-rushing slab of sound that particularly showcases Elle’s penetrating, forceful delivery. Bentley’s laid-back style relaxes behind her. Highly engaging.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: ‘Nashville Treasure’ Sheryl Crow Releases Dreamy Ballad

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Some of the brightest names in Americana music have new sounds to delight your ears.

Steve Earle, Old Crow Medicine Show, Peter Rowan and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings are all here. So is Sheryl Crow, who claims the Disc of the Day award.

Gabe Lee is an a stunningly gifted Nashville creator, as well as the rare roots-music purveyor of Asian descent. One listen to his commanding vocal and instrumental abilities is all you’ll require, to understand why he is the DisCovery Award winner in this edition of DisClaimer.

ELI PAPERBOY REED / “Mama Tried”
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: none listed; Label: Yep Roc
— Reed is a white bluesman, but his earliest musical hero was Merle Haggard. His new album is a tribute titled Down Every Road, wherein he applies his style to the Hag’s country classics. His horn-drenched, soul-shriek vocal take on “Mama Tried” is the collection’s first emphasis track, and it is ear opening, to say the least.

STEVE EARLE / “Gettin’ By”
Writer: Jerry Jeff Walker; Producer: Steve Earle; Label: New West
— Steve’s latest is a salute to Jerry Jeff Walker, one of his main musical mentors. Titled Jerry Jeff, it kicks off with this folkie, drawling, Texas-swing outing. The rollicking group sing-along, vocal growls and loosey-goosey ensemble playing are all appropriately rumpled.

GABE LEE / “Honky Tonk Hell”
Writers: Gabe Lee/Marcus King; Producers: David Dorn/Alex Torrez; Label: Torrez Music Group
— This new Americana favorite lays down a solid country-rock groove on the title tune of his current album. His wailing tenor voice and the snarling electric guitars make the track sound wildly entertaining and fierce. And ya gotta love that jab about people in Nashville “writing phony-ass country songs.” By turns a country troubadour and a fire-breathing Southern rocker, this native Nashvillian is frighteningly gifted.

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS / “I Just Came Home to Count the Memories”
Writer: Glenn McGuirt; Producers: Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Label: Easy Eye
— Something Borrowed, Something Blue will be a tribute album to John Anderson produced by Dan Auerbach & David Ferguson. They’ve lined up a bevy of greats to participate—Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Del McCoury, Ashley McBryde, Tyler Childers and more. The album isn’t due until August, but Gillian & David have an advance taste of what a treat we can expect. It is a haunting, acoustic-guitar-and-strings arrangement of this wonderfully wistful, sad ballad that John introduced back in 1981.

TRAMP / “Back to Tennessee”
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Tramp
— This former Cactus Brothers fiddler is still making music. His charming, slightly strangulated tenor holds up well, as does his sense of hooky melody. He’s like a Dixie-fied Neil Young with acoustic-country trimmings.

SHERYL CROW / “Forever”
Writers: Jeff Trott/Sheryl Crow; Producer: Jeff Trott; Label: Big Machine
— This Nashville treasure is issuing a career-retrospective documentary. Its hit-packed, double-CD soundtrack includes three new songs, including this dreamy ballad. The tune is minor-key and downbeat, but the message is totally uplifting and inspiring. The echoey instrumental swirl of the production is like a comforting cool pool, and it goes without saying that her vocal delivery is stellar. Essential listening.

MARCUS KING / “Hard Working Man”
Writers: Marcus King/Dan Auerbach/Angelo Petraglia; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: American/Republic
— Are you hip to this guy? King is a Southern-rocking soulman whose searing electric guitar shredding is matched by a ferocious vocal attack. This blistering live-in-the-studio performance is an advance track from his sophomore solo album, due in August. Turn it up and rock out.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW / “Gloryland”
Writers: Critter Fuqua/Ketch Secor; Producers: Matt Ross-Spang/Old Crow Medicine Show; Label: ATO
— On its new Paint This Town album, the group moves beyond old-time-music territory and into a sonic space previously occupied by folks like The Band. This emphasis track has a rousing yet heavy-hearted gospel vibe, punctuated by lamenting harmonica and fiddle, plus backing vocals by The Kyshona Trio. Very cool.

MICHAEL McADAM / “My Little Queenie”
Writer: Michael McAdam; Producers: Michael McAdam/Jack Irwin; Label: Permanent
— He’s a veteran Nashville guitarist who has backed Steve Earle, Radney Foster, Jim Lauderdale, Jack Ingram and Mary Chapin Carpenter, among others. McAdam is stepping into his own singer-songwriter spotlight with an album titled Tremelo. This rolling, jingle-jangle track is practically a definition of Americana music. Lend this man your ears.

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN / “Hey Girl”
Writers: Annie Roboff/Beth Nielsen Chapman/Jessica Sweetman; Producer: Ray Kennedy; Label: Cooking Vinyl
— Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Chapman has been a brilliant record maker for decades. Her 15th album, Crazy Town, features this bluesy feminist stomper. The girl-power message is bolstered by downhome harmonica wailing, saucy backing vocals, shimmering organ and thumping percussion. Feisty stuff.

PETER ROWAN & SHAWN CAMP / “The Song That Made Hank Williams Dance”
Writer: Peter Rowan; Producer: none listed; Label: Rebel
— Rowan is a roots-music legend who is adding to his 60+ years of record making with a June album titled Calling You From My Mountain. This advance single fuses bluegrass with honky-tonk. He’s in fine bluesy vocal form, and the always welcome and totally talented Camp trades lines with him expertly while the steady grooving track chugs along. I remain a huge fan.

THE TRAVELIN’ McCOURYS / “I Like Beer”
Writer: Tom T. Hall; Producer: none listed; Label: McCoury
— These multiple bluegrass award winners take Tom T. Hall’s 1975 classic out for a uptempo waltz. Banjo player Rob McCoury’s drawling debut as a lead vocalist is loaded with personality. Hang on for the lickety-split instrumental interlude that sets up the finale drinking sounds. A boatload of merry music making.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Combs Gives Taste Of New Music With ‘Tomorrow Me’

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That cool breeze you feel comes from Canada this week.

North-of-the-border stars High Valley, Brett Kissel, Gord Bamford and Terri Clark all have new sounds for your consideration. Gord and Terri’s duet is essential.

That said, whenever a listening session includes Country Champ Luke Combs, you know who is taking home the Disc of the Day award. Luke wasn’t without challengers, namely Morgan Wallen and Lindsay Ell, as well as Gord & Terri.

The DISCovery Award has three contenders—Ryan McMahon, Jessica Willis Fisher and our winner, third-generation country talent Tess Frizzell.

BRENNEN LEIGH & ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL / “Obsessed With the West”
Writer: Brennen Leigh; Producer: none listed; Label: Signature Sounds
–This is the title tune of Leigh’s new album. She’s a western-swing revivalist on it, but this languid track is a ballad with her gracious croon backed by swaying fiddle. An audio delight.

LUKE COMBS / “Tomorrow Me”
Writers: Luke Combs/Dean Dillon/Ray Fulcher; Producers: Luke Combs/Chip Matthews/Jonathan Singleton; Label: Columbia
–He has one of those voices that has you hanging on every line. On this melodic mid-tempo outing, he expresses desire, regret and emotional conflict in a wonderfully shaded performance. Beautifully sung and produced with clarity and elegance.

TESS FRIZZELL / “The Wrong One”
Writers: Dottie West/Tess Frizzell/Bobby Tomberlin/Billy Lawson; Producer: none listed; Label: TF
–Tess is the daughter of Shelly West and Allen Frizzell. This lovely ballad is based on a song that grandmother Dottie West began in the 1960s. The song has a magnetic pull, and the singer’s lustrous alto is a deep pool of wistful meditation. I’m in.

BRETT ELDREDGE / “Songs About You”
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Jessie Jo Dillon/Ben West; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Warner
–Hearing songs like “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Dancing in the Dark” transport him back to their love affair. Brett’s muscular vocal is backed by a serious R&B backbeat. A Southern soul strutter.

RYAN McMAHON / “One More Fire”
Writer: Ryan McMahon; Producers: Jordan Pritchett/Danielle King; Label: Elbowroom (Canada)
–This one’s an upbeat toe tapper. He seeks new adventures and experiences in a hearty, range-y voice backed by a kickin’ band. Promising.

MORGAN WALLEN / “Don’t Think Jesus”
Writers: Jessi Leigh Alexander/Mark L. Holman/Richard Chase McGill; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–In this aching, deliberately paced ballad, he falls into substance abuse and fast living until he pulls himself back from the brink. It’s a slow but dramatic build from a wounded, frail beginning to a torrid, top-of-his-range midsection. Then it resolves in a hushed, tender finale. A terrific performance from one of country’s most expressive artists.

HELENE CRONIN / “Barbed Wire”
Writers: Helene Cronin/Nicole Lewis/Davis Corley; Producer: Brianna Tyson; Label: HCM
–She has a low folkie alto voice on this moody, offbeat, somewhat wordy ballad. The production lays on plenty of echoey ambiance.

HIGH VALLEY & GRANGER SMITH / “Country Music, Girls and Trucks”
Writers: Brad Rempel/Micah Wilshire/Jaron Boyer; Producer: Micah Wilshire; Label: HV
–You read that title correctly. And, no, they aren’t kidding. We are supposed to take these cliches with straight face.

BRETT KISSEL & 98 DEGREES / “Ain’t the Same”
Writers: Brett Kissel/James Timothy Nichols/Karen Kosowski; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Warner (Canada)
–Creamy harmonies color this lovelorn pop-country ditty. Pleasant and catchy, but ultimately bland.

LINDSAY ELL / “Right On Time”
Writers: Lindsay Ell/Jordan Schmidt/Geoff Warburton; Producer: Jordan Schmidt; Label: LE
–Her strongest track yet. The rhythm punch is totally hooky, and her husky vocal delivery is supremely confident. The rapid-fire lyric is matched by sizzling electric guitar work and her conversational pep. Loved it from top to bottom.

GORD BAMFORD & TERRI CLARK / “I Ain’t Drunk”
Writers: Buddy Owens/Meghan Fitzpatrick/Mitchell Edward Oglesby; Producers: Gord Bamford/Phil O’Donnell; Label: GB
–I am a big fan of both of these singers. Bamford’s beefy baritone is matched note-for-note by the honky-tonk drawl of Clark. She shadows him perfectly in soprano harmony while the soaring, melody-rich tale of heartache unspools. This is country music the way it was meant to be. The song is drawn from Bamford’s Diamonds in a Whiskey Glass collection, which is also highly recommended.

JESSICA WILLIS FISHER / “Fire Song”
Writers: Jessica Willis Fisher/Jon Randall; Producer: Ben Fowler; Label: JWF
–Formerly of The Willis Clan, Jessica Willis Fisher is issuing her debut solo album, Brand New Day. This dramatic, minor-key rocker is the collection’s first single. Her haunting, Appalachia-flavored soprano is backed by her own fierce fiddling and a furious rhythm undertow. The song of a survivor.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Mitchell Tenpenny Shows His Star-Making Potential

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Mitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Matthew Berinato

The listening highlights were sparse today in DISClaimer.

To be sure, there is a lot of competent music making at play in this stack of sounds. But as for real excitement, only a few created it.

The best of the batch are Jenny Tolman, Niko Moon, Jake Hoot and our Disc of the Day winner, Mitchell Tenpenny.

The DISCovery Award goes to the already TV-famous Chayce Beckham.

CHAYCE BECKHAM / “Doin’ It Right”
Writers: Andy Albert/Chayce Beckham/Lindsay Rimes; Producers: Lindsay Rimes/Ross Copperman; Label: Wheelhouse/BBR
–The reigning American Idol champ introduces the title tune of his EP with style. His vocal warmth and hidden power are bolstered by a chiming production on this mid-tempo banger. Confidence, professionalism and passion are the hallmarks here.

NIKO MOON / “Easy Tonight”
Writers: Niko Moon/Patrick Davis/Wyatt Durette/Levi Lowery/Kevin Mac/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty; Producers: Niko Moon/Joshua Murty; Label: RCA
–A summer groove, for sure. Electronic finger snaps, twang guitar, light percussion thumps and a mellow vocal delivery are all mighty attractive. With seven writers listed, I’m guessing somebody is getting a free ride.

JENNY TOLMAN / “Married in a Honky Tonk”
Writers: Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte; Producer: Dave Brainard; Label: Old Sol
–This has just about everything going for it: Witty lyrics, country-rock sparks, personality vocals, kickin’ production. For sheer unadulterated talent, this lady stands head and shoulders above her country-music peers. And in a case of life imitating art, Tolman and producer Brainard were married last month in Jackson, Wyoming, which is where she shot this tune’s video.

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades”
Writers: Dallas Wilson/James Mitchell Tenpenny; Producer: Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan M. Schmidt; Label: Sony
–Audio charisma that’s so strong you can feel it in your bones. His feathery vocal performance ranges from a whisper to a scream while the big production crashes like waves around him. A star-maker of a single.

JAKE HOOT & BRITTNEY HOOT / “Wherever Time Goes”
Writers: Jake Hoot/Houston Phillips/Michael Farren; Producer: Danny Myrick; Label: ONErpm
–The giant winner of The Voice has a gigantic voice to match his stature. The surprise is that his wife can vocally hold her own harmonizing with his massive power. Together, they make this super romantic ballad an electrifying listening experience.

DOLLY PARTON / “Woman Up”
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producers: Dolly Parton/Richard Dennison/Tom Rutledge; Label: Butterfly
–Dolly’s mystery-thriller novel Run Rose Run (with James Patterson) continues to dominate the fiction best-seller lists in its second month of release. Its soundtrack album features this feisty feminist county rocker that is shot through with her one-of-a-kind personality. A fun frolic.

KRISTIAN BUSH / “Everybody Gotta Go Home”
Writers: Kristian Bush/Taylor Davis/Steve Bogard; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Big Machine
–This is the lead-off track on Bush’s new album. Before he was in Sugarland, the singer-songwriter was in the folk-pop act Billy Pilgrim and the rock jam band Dark Water. His eclectic musical nature is on full display here as the country-pop ditty is punctuated with R&B horns, rock percussion and cheerleader backing vocals.

BILLY RAY CYRUS, SNOOP DOGG & THE AVILA BROTHERS / “A Hard Working Man”
Writers: Bobby Ross/IZ Avila/Billy Ray Cyrus/C Broadus; Producer: The Avila Brothers; Label: Avila Brothers/BMG
–Complete, thorough and unremitting audio junk.

ADAM HOOD / “Business With Jesus”
Writers: Adam Hood/Pat McLaughlin; Producer: Brent Cobb; Label: Southern Songs
–Hood has songwriting credentials to spare, with cuts by Miranda, Cody Jinks, The Oaks, Travis Tritt, Whiskey Myers, LBT, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Anderson East, Frankie Ballard and Drake White, among others. This Dixie-fried band bopper has a groove-soaked, funky backbeat that is wildly infectious.

THOMPSON SQUARE / “Country In My Soul”
Writers: Lainey Wilson/Daniel Ross/James McNair; Producers: Mickey Jack Cones/Derek George; Label: Quartz Hill
–The husband-wife duo returns following a long silence with this strongly sung rocker. I just wish the song was stronger and the production was more imaginative.

KAMARA THOMAS / “No Peace at Appomatox”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: KT
–The Kamara Thomas album Tularosa: An American Dreamtime is a song cycle about the American West. In tandem with the record, she’ll have a summer residency at the Santa Fe Arts Institute and a two-year teaching fellowship at Princeton beginning in the fall. On this draggy, borderline-irritating track from the collection, she applies a sleepy, languid vocal delivery to an atmospheric folkie/acoustic track with a meandering melody.

LEVI HUMMON / “For Me”
Writers: Levi Hummon/Trannie Anderson/Jimmy Robbins; Producers: Eric Arjes/Jimmy Robbins; Label: LH
–This is a piano ballad about aspiring to improve and trying to find the better angel inside so that you can be worthy of her love. Nicely done.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brett Young Takes The Road Home On Newest Release

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The major-label, heavy hitters pretty much ruled this edition of DISClaimer.

Contending for Disc of the Day are Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Janson and our winner, Brett Young. The challenger to this dominance is the compelling track by troubadour Porter Howell, who definitely has the best written song in this stack.

Grace Leer and Greylan James are our contenders for the DisCovery Award of the week. I’m giving the nod to Greylan James, because, like Porter, he is a Nashville songwriter, my favorite kind of people.

PORTER HOWELL / “This Town Was”
Writer: Porter Howell; Producers: none listed; Label: PH
–Howell was the creative force behind the hit-making Little Texas in the ‘90s. On this stirring, evocative ballad, he expresses the feelings of generations of folks who are pained to see Music Row being transformed from a community into a condo development. Sung in a yearning voice of nostalgia and regret, this is essential listening.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “Heartfirst”
Writers: Alysa Vanderheym/Karen Fairchild/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Julian Bunetta/Shane McAnally; Label: Black River
–Adorable. Her pert delivery conveys the dizzy, youthful feelings of falling in love with a power-pop production in bubbling support. Sprightly and summer-y.

FLAT RIVER BAND & THE McCRARY SISTERS / “Shining Through My Window”
Writer: Chad Sitze; Producers: none listed; Label: Early Bird
–When we last heard from this brother trio, they were matching voices with the Gatlins. Now they’re harmonizing with the four divine McCrary Sisters on this upbeat, shiny, super positive ditty. It ain’t exactly deep, but the mood is merry.

LITTLE BIG TOWN / “Hell Yeah”
Writers: Jimi Westbrook/Phillip Sweet/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard; Producers: Little Big Town; Label: Capitol
–She’s moved on, but he’s still suffering. Despite the honky-tonks, the drinking, the dancing, the laughter and the apparent good times, he’s in hell emotionally. The jaunty track, embellished with whistling, puts the downbeat message in an upbeat mode. Phillip Sweet’s warm lead vocal is a laconic pleasure. A sonic delight that’s radio ready.

KAT & ALEX / “Yo Quiero Amarte”
Writers: AJ Pruis/Alex Georgia/Kat Georgia; Producer: Brad Hill; Label: Sony
–This is the Spanish-language version of their melodic wedding song “I Want It All.” Both initially spoke Spanish exclusively as the children of Cuban (Kat Luna) and Puerto Rican (Alex Garrido) parents. Their harmonies are delicious. The fastest growing American demographic is Hispanic. If country music is to thrive in the 21st century, it needs to embrace Black and Latin voices, and this couple is fine way to start doing the latter.

CHRIS JANSON / “We Did It Anyway”
Writers: Chris Janson/Dallas Davidson/Ashley Gorley/Chris Stevens; Producers: Zach Crowell/Chris Janson; Label: Warner
–There’s a new video for this track from Chris’ upcoming, abundant, 16-track album All In. The clip illustrates an outdoor party, which is totally in keeping with the message of this frothing, bodacious rocker.

GREYLAN JAMES / “Anything Cold”
Writers: Greylan James/Abram Dean/Jason Massey/Josh Dorr; Producers: Greylan James/Jason Massey; Label: Tunecore
–As a songwriter, James has cuts by Chesney, Blake and the Chris-es—Young and Janson. Here’s the ear-opener: He’s also an ace guitarist, plus he played every instrument on this, his disc debut. The track is a dreamy, electronic swirl. The monotonous lyric, however, goes nowhere.

BRETT YOUNG / “Long Way Home”
Writers: Brett Young/Shay Mooney/Bear Rinehart/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: BMLG
–Brett and his collaborators watched an advance screening of the new Mark Wahlberg movie Father Stu. That inspired the creation of this theme song for the thug-priest story. “Everybody gets to Heaven on a broken road/Some of us gotta take the long way home.” I don’t know about the film, but the song works spectacularly well–well written, well sung and well produced. The bonus is that the toe tapper has something to say.

EASTON CORBIN / “Marry That Girl”
Writers: Easton Corbin/Shane Minor/Wade Kirby/Adam Craig; Producers: Derek George/Wade Kirby; Label: Stone Country
–Corbin returns to solidly county record making with this lilting ballad. Gentle, laid back, sweetly romantic and full of emotional warmth.

LOGAN MIZE & GRACE LEER / “Nothing With You”
Writers: Donovan Woods/Dustin Christensen/Geoff Warburton; Producers: Daniel Agee; Label: Big Yellow Dog
–Mize teams up with American Idol alumnus Leer on this romantic outing. They are both wonderful singers, the song is well crafted and the track has a pleasing thump. But they never harmonize, and I don’t hear any real charisma here.

CALLISTA CLARK / “Gave It Back Broken”
Writers: Callista Clark/Emily Shackleton; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Big Machine
–This youngster is a terrific vocalist. I still don’t hear what is “country” about her.

PAT GREEN / “Build You a Bar”
Writers: Marshall Altman/Colin Christopher Elmore/Anna Hawthorne Vaus; Producer: Dwight Baker; Label: Empire
–The Texas hero is completely charming on this offbeat romantic caper. Only in country music could you find a lyric this wacky that still makes sense.