We’re all about gender parity today at DISClaimer.

Note that half of the tracks reviewed in this edition of the column feature female voices. Which is the way things ought to be, since that’s half of the listening audience.

Note also that the two best written songs here come from female artists. I refer to Ingrid Andress’ lovely “Blue” and to Ashley McBryde’s inspiring “Bonfire at Tina’s.” On the other hand, Travis Denning’s fine composition gives the gals a run for their money, and Restless Road is a total rush.

Finally, note that the Disc of the Day award belongs to a mighty country woman, Ashley McBryde.

DARIUS RUCKER & CHAPEL HART / “Ol’ Church Hymn”
Writers: Darius Rucker/Ben Hayslip/Josh Miller/Greylan James; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol
–Warm, loving and kind sounding. He sings of the soothing power of love while the Chapel Hart trio harmonizes softly in the background. I’d have mixed them up louder in the mix and given them a verse of their own.

TRAVIS DENNING / “Buy a Girl a Drink”
Writers: Travis Denning/Jeremy Stover/Paul DiGiovanni/Chase McGill; Producers: Jeremy Stover/Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Mercury
–Very, very sweet. Sung with boyish charm, yet laced with aged wisdom, it’s an encapsulation of life and love that’s impossible to resist. The churning production is a big plus, too.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD / “Hate My Heart”
Writers: Carrie Underwood/Hillary Lindsey/David Garcia/Michael Hardy; Producers: Carrie Underwood/David Garcia; Label: Capitol
–It’s a rollicking banger that contrasts her desire to party with a heartbreak that’s holding her back. The stacked female harmonies are cool, but the guitar-dominated track could have been more creative.

HARDY / “Jack”
Writers: Michael Hardy/David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey; Producers: Joey Moi/Michael Hardy/David Garcia/Derek Wells; Label: Big Loud Rock
–Don’t misled by the soft, quiet intro. This turns into a slammin’ rock track with ferociously pounding rhythm. “Jack,” as you might expect, is a certain Tennessee whiskey who may or may not become your pal.

MADELINE EDWARDS / “Too Much of a Good Thing”
Writers: Madeline Edwards/Ian Christian/Trannie Anderson; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner
–I have long loved the smokey quality in her voice. A string of excellent indie releases has led to this major-label debut. Her gospel-y piano provides understated power and pulse to the enveloping ballad. I’m in. Make her a star.

JAMESON RODGERS / “Things That Matter”
Writers: Lynne Hutton/Jameson Rodgers/Elwyn Ahnquist Smith/Will Bundy; Producers: Chris Farren/Jake Mitchell; Label: Sony
–Forget about politics, the economy and material possessions and concentrate on the simple pleasures of life, advises Mr. Rodgers on this gently swaying outing. It’s a breezy and totally country sound that’s as refreshing as a soft spring rain.

ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Bonfire at Tina’s”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Brandy Clark/Benjy Davis/Connie Harrington/Nicolette Hayford/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner
–This woman is tower of talent. On this slow-burn blazer she’s feisty and fierce. It’s a sisterhood anthem with lots and lots of heart. The gals get together to drink, smoke and bitch around a bonfire, and the result builds to an inspiring crescendo.

ADAM DOLEAC / “Whiskey Barstool Wonderland”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Lindsay Rimes/Jonathan Singleton; Producer: Jordan Schmidt; Label: Arista
–The power ballad yearns for lost love while deep percussion pounds and electric guitars soar. I think what I like best about it is how his singing ranges from feathery whisper to shouted tenor anguish. Definitely hooky. It’s the title track to his debut album, an 18-track serving.

INGRID ANDRESS / “Blue”
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis/Derrick Southerland/Shane McAnally; Producers: Sam Ellis/Ingrid Andress; Label: Warner/Atlantic
–Languid and dreamy, this is a mini-masterpiece of a romantic ballad. The lines are exquisite as she describes a shade that she is seeing for the first time, the blue of his eyes. You’ll find it on her new sophomore album, Good Person.

RESTLESS ROAD / “Sundown Somewhere”
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Cole Swindell/Cole Taylor/Jacob Rice; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA
–A wafting country rocker loaded to the gills with the trio’s stunning harmony voices. These guys are so radio ready it’s ridiculous. In a word, irresistible.

ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Busy”
Writers: Robyn Ottolini/Seth Mosley/Jessica Cayne; Producers: Erik Fintelman/Mark Schroor/Michael O’Connor/Seth Mosley; Label: Warner
–There’s not a lot of singing going on here. More like shouting with hints of melody. However, it does have plenty of attitude.

TYLER BOOTH / “Feeling Whitney”
Writers: Andrew Wotman/Austin Post; Producers: Tyler Booth/John Johnson; Label: Sony/Villa 40
–Covering a Post Malone tune as a country single might sound nutty. Melodically, it actually works pretty well, and Tyler’s baritone voice is fine, as usual. The lyrics are still oblique.

For-real country music returns with a vengeance in this week’s DISClaimer column.

It doesn’t come any better than Gene Watson & Willie Nelson. Youngsters Brandon Ratcliff, Jon Pardi, Sunny Sweeney and Kelsea Ballerini are flying the country banner high as well.

So is Larry Fleet, who takes home the DISCovery Award.

The audio-nirvana collaboration between the Zac Brown Band and Ingrid Andress is this week’s Disc of the Day.

AVERY ANNA / “Narcissist”
Writers: Ben Williams/David Fanning/Andy Sheridan/Avery Anna Rhoton; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner
–Wafting and appealing. The well-produced ballad features layers of soprano vocal, echoey ambiance and pointed lyrics toward a self-centered guy. Lovely listening, if not exactly hit bound.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “If You Go Down”
Writers: Shane McAnally/Julian Bunetta/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Julian Bunetta/Shane McAnally; Label: Black River
–“Heartfirst” remains the single, but this new video is so jaunty, flirty and enticing it must be consumed at once. The track bops delightfully with tasty mandolin licks, fiddle embellishments and snappy brushed drumming while her vocal verve rides on top. Ballerini is spreading her wings like never before and making the best music of her career to date. Her new Subject to Change collection drops tomorrow (Sept. 23).

KANE BROWN & KATELYN BROWN / “Thank God”
Writers: Josh Hoge/Jaxson Free/Kyle Fishman/Christian Davis/Jared Mullins; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA
–Mr. and Mrs. Brown get all lovey dovey on a dull ballad.

LARRY FLEET / “Where I Find God”
Writers: Connie Rae Harrington/Larry Fleet; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–Beautifully done. His conversational vocal is perfectly phrased on this moving ode to homespun spirituality. Exquisitely country. There is also a live duet version of the song with Morgan Wallen.

KYLIE MORGAN / “Bridesmaids”
Writers: Kylie Morgan/Sam DeRosa/KK Johnson; Producers: Ben Johnson/KK Johnson; Label: EMI
–Life imitates art in this outing, since co-writer DeRosa is one of the bridesmaids in Morgan’s upcoming nuptials. The thin-sounding, upbeat ditty with her lilting singing has evidently exploded on TikTok.

ZAC BROWN BAND & INGRID ANDRESS / “Any Day Now”
Writers: Zac Brown/Clay Cook/Josh Dunne/Ray Fulcher/Ben Simonetti/Jonathan Singleton; Producers: Zac Brown/Ben Simonetti; Label: Warner
–The Georgia band’s The Comeback (Deluxe) album drops a week from Friday. It is packed with celebrity collaborations, including guests Cody Johnson, Blake Shelton, James Taylor, Marcus King, Jamey Johnson and, on this heartbroken track, Andress. The group’s trademark harmonies kick it off, then her piercing soprano underlines the chorus message of regret. Next, they begin singing together, and the result is gorgeously melodic dynamite. The band’s Ryman concert is tonight (Sept. 22).

SUNNY SWEENEY / “Poet’s Prayer”
Writers: Monty Holmes/Buddy Owens/Sunny Sweeney; Producer: none listed; Label: SS
–Sunny sang this on the Opry last weekend, and it blew everyone away. It’s an acoustic ballad that wishes safe travels for gypsy troubadours everywhere. Her current live album includes the moving anthem. She is so pluperfectly country that everything she sings grips me. But this song is something special. It is also apparently somewhat magical: The only two shows when she didn’t sing it, she was in car accidents.

JON PARDI / “Mr. Saturday Night”
Writers: Benjy Davis/Reid Isbell/Joe Ragosta; Producers: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore/Jon Pardi; Label: Capitol
–The title tune of Pardi’s new album maintains the winning formula of his chart-topping “Last Night Lonely.” Which is to say, it is unapologetic honky-tonkin’ hillbilly. The power ballad moans with roadhouse heartache as he drawls the yarn of a good-time guy who hides his blues. So country. So very, very good.

DOLLY PARTON & KELLY CLARKSON / “9 To 5”
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producers: Shane McAnally/Sasha Sloan/King Henry; Label: SmackSongs/
Atlantic
–Dolly’s Oscar-nominated, Grammy-winning 1980 classic gets a complete makeover in this choppy, echoey, hip-hop influenced pop production. Kelly takes the pensive, melancholy lead with Dolly offering harmonies and vocal interjections. The track is drawn from the soundtrack of the documentary Still Working 9 To 5, which explores the impact of the film as well as the ongoing issues faced by women in the workforce.

MADDIE & TAE / “Spring Cleaning”
Writers: Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr/Josh Kerr/Tayla Parx; Producers: Derek Wells/Josh Kerr; Label: Mercury
–Delightfully feisty. Of course, it’s about kicking the bum and all of his shit out. The duo’s saucy vocals are backed by a punchy rhythmic track and roaring guitars. Fun on the hoof. You’ll find it on the eight-tune Through the Madness Vol. 2, which drops tomorrow (Sept. 23).

BRANDON RATCLIFF / “Tale of Two Towns”
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good/Josh Jenkins; Producers: Pete Good/AJ Babcock; Label: Monument
–This has a folkie, bluegrassy texture that ripples with authenticity. His sincere tenor rides atop a crystalline, acoustic track that enchants with every note. He expresses gratitude for his small-town upbringing while rejoicing in escaping it. I simply love this performance.

GENE WATSON & WILLIE NELSON / “Wonderful Future”
Writer: Willie Nelson; Producer: Dirk Johnson; Label: GW
–Two of country’s greatest vocalists create chillbumps in their first duet. Willie kicks it off. Then Gene’s peerless twang takes a turn, while the soaked-in-steel, piano tinkling production waltzes you through the profoundly sad, profoundly country lyric. As they swap verses, the hillbilly heavens open wide. You’ll find it on Gene’s just-released album Outside the Box, which also features a duet with his Opry peer Rhonda Vincent.

Today’s playlist is what country music would sound like in an ideal universe.

That is to say, male-female equality instead of the preposterous imbalance that exists today.

And do I need to add that the tracks by women are almost uniformly more interesting than those by men? The exceptions are Jake Owen, Willie Jones and Mitchell Tenpenny, all of whom are at the top of their game today.

But the listening session was ruled by the fairer sex with outstanding offerings by Madeline Edwards, Danielle Bradberry, Catie Offerman and our Disc of the Day winner, Tenille Townes.

GEORGIA WEBSTER / “I Hate Phone Calls”
Writers: Josh Kerr/Georgia Webster; Producers: Josh Kerr/Georgia Webster; Label: River House/Sony
–Processed teen-pop vocal with banjo plucking and electronic accompaniment. If she makes it in country music, she’ll be outta here to pop pastures in no time.

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Good and Gone”
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Zach Abend/Seth Ennis/Geoff Warburton; Producers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan Schmidt; Label: Sony
–There’s not much of a melody here, but there’s something haunting about the performance. The hushed, almost whispered verses contrast with the loudly sung choruses while a nervous, stuttering rhythm track keeps double time. Intriguingly different.

TENILLE TOWNES / “The Last Time”
Writers: Ben Goldsmith/Gordie Sampson/Tenille Townes; Producers: Gordie Sampson/Pete Good; Label: Sony
–I’m very fond of this Canadian stylist. As great as her previous singles have been, this one goes all the way to brilliant. From the moment she swung into that first chorus, she had me by the throat. By the time she finished, I was completely choked up. She’s wonderfully philosophical and emotionally gripping as she unspools the message of cherishing every moment with every loved one. Perfection in each note.

DUSTIN LYNCH / “Wood on the Fire”
Writers: Dustin Lynch/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Broken Bow
–The onrushing, guitar-crashing production effectively evokes a raging fire while he sings of a relationship that burns out of control.

MADELINE EDWARDS / “The Wolves”
Writers: Madeline Edwards/Emily Doty/Gavin Slate; Producers: Ryan Tyndell/Oscar Charles; Label: ME
–This barn-burner performance is fierce and fearless. Smoky-voiced Edwards recently introduced the stormy, bluesy number on the Grand Ole Opry. Since her debut EP release this summer, the hotshot singer-songwriter has been on a roll. She is an Apple Music Country Riser, a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch and a member of this year’s CMT Next Women of Country class. Plus, she just signed a pub deal with Sony.

JAKE OWEN / “Up There Down Here”
Writers: Travis Wood/Summer Ashtyn Overstreet/Zachary Robert Dyer; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–Wildly clever. The lyric contrasting his bad-boy persona with her angelic goodness is packed with terrific imagery and wordplay. The twangin’ vocal performance is splendid, too. Absolutely play the heck outta this.

DANIELLE BRADBERY / “A Special Place”
Writers: Maren Morris/Shane McAnally/Jimmy Robbins/Sasha Sloan; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Derek Wells; Label: BMLG
–Feisty, frisky and fun. She’s reserved a special place for her ex, a zero-star hotel in hell. Her saucy delivery has just the right touch of snark for this witty ditty.

SHANE OWENS / “You Go Good”
Writers: Buddy Owens/Doug Johnson/Galen Griffin; Producer: none listed; Label: Amerimonte
–Charmingly southern, winningly country, innocently romantic.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD / “Pink Champagne”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Carrie Underwood/Ashley Gorley/David Garcia; Producers: David Garcia/Carrie Underwood; Label: Capitol
–His love gives her a bigger buzz than booze does. Bubbling, fizzy stuff that’s heavy on the thudding rhythm track.

SCOTTY McCREERY / “It Matters to Her”
Writers: Rhett Akins/Lee Thomas Miller/Scotty McCreery; Producers: Frank Rogers/Derek Wells/Aaron Eshuis/Scott Johnson; Label: Triple Tigers
–I know it is meant to sound considerate and loving, but there’s something slightly patronizing about it. As always, Scotty delivers as a country vocalist, and the production is forceful.

CATIE OFFERMAN / “Get a Dog”
Writers: Catie Offerman/Joe Clemmons/Aaron Eshuis; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: MCA Nashville
–Ultra cute. If you’re looking for unconditional love, try a canine companion instead of her. Offerman is a multi-instrumentalist who honed her craft at everything from pizza parlors to polka gigs, including a bazillion Texas honky tonks. She staged her dream-come-true Opry debut last weekend.

WILLIE JONES / “Get Low Get High”
Writers: Willie Jones/Cary Barlowe/Brandon Day; Producers: Brandon Day/Willie Jones; Label: Sony
–A definite feel-good outing. It has a sunny, sing-along quality that goes down smooth and easy. I especially liked the part where he asked the background guys to sing “Get low” and the ladies to sing “Get high.” Very enjoyable.

Seasons change, but some things in country music are constant.

The days are getting shorter, the kiddies are going back to school and summer will soon be gone. But whether it is brilliant sunshine or falling leaves, you can always depend on Blake Shelton. This country titan nails down this week’s Disc of the Day prize with ease.

His closest challengers are all duos—Maddie & Tae, Sunny Sweeney with Vince Gill and the stunning outing by Hardy & Lainey Wilson. All three are essential listening.

The DISCovery Award goes to Pennsylvania’s Conrad Fisher.

TYLER RICH / “Trucks Don’t Lie”
Writers: Tyler Rich/Adam Craig/Jim McCormick; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: Valory
–Heartache on four wheels. Well sung and well produced, even if it does deal in country’s well-worn (worn-out?) truck fetish.

BLAKE SHELTON / “No Body”
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Deliriously catchy. Thumpin’ rhythm, sassy lyric, snappy attitude and production perfection. Then there’s the voice of one of our finest country singers…..

HARDY & LAINEY WILSON / “Wait in the Truck”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Schmidt/Renee Blair; Producers: Joey Moi/Hardy/Derek Wells/Jordan Schmidt; Label: Big Loud
–Very creative. A dark and arresting story song involving domestic violence and vengeance. You’ll hang on every line of this gripping yarn. Applause to everyone involved in this awesome outing.

BREI CARTER / “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’”
Writer: Ben Peters; Producer: none listed; Label: BC
–She sings well, but I’m not sure it was a good idea to slow down this Charley Pride country classic.

CONRAD FISHER / “Trouble With a Hammer”
Writer: Conrad Fisher; Producer: none listed; Label: Ashbrook
–It’s a lively toe tapper with a workaday, everyman lyric. His strong tenor voice is backed by some twang guitar and a snazzy rhythm track. Promising. Send more.

MADDIE & TAE / “Spring Cleaning”
Writers: Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr/Josh Kerr/Tayla Parx; Producers: Derek Wells/Josh Kerr; Label: Mercury
–Bluesy, saucy and cool. It ain’t spring, but she’s cleaning house and wants him to get his shit outta there. The snarky vocals are matched by electric guitars on a rampage.

SUNNY SWEENEY & VINCE GILL / “Married Alone”
Writers: Hannah Blaylock/Josh Morningstar/Autumn McEntire; Producers: Paul Cauthen/Beau Bedford; Label: Thirty Tigers
–I have long been a fan of this gal. She’s as country as grits. On this downcast ballad, she’s joined by the incomparable Mr. Gill on spectacular vocal harmony. Steel and twang abound. Catch Sunny’s “Sunny Side Up” Sirius/XM radio show weekday mornings, 6 a.m.-noon on the Willie’s Roadhouse channel.

SHANE PROFITT / “How It Oughta Be”
Writers: David Frasier/Mitch Oglesby/Shane Profitt; Producers: Julian Raymond/Chris Janson/Scott Borchetta; Label: BMLG
–Rousing and rambunctious, he lays out a vision of a life where prices aren’t so high, folks treat each other right and teachers should be paid like lawyers are. You’ll get no argument from me.

KANE BROWN / “Go Around”
Writers: Kane Brown/Jordan Mark Schmidt/Ernest Keith Smith/Garrett Scott Nichols/Zachary Ryan Beeken; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Arista
–This track marks time between his chart-topping “Like I Love Country Music” and his next single. The fiddle-embellished tune meanders aimlessly and so does the come-on lyric. Pass.

LEANN RIMES / “Awakening”
Writer: LeAnn Rimes; Producers: LeAnn Rimes/Darrell Brown; Label: LR
–LeAnn is turning 40: How can this be? As a mark of her new maturity, she’s issuing this confessional ode about mental health and psychological survival. It’s an extremely well produced pop track with lush strings, rumbling rhythms and layered vocal echoes.

ADAM DOLEAC / “Close That Tab”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Derrick Southerland/Zach Abend; Producer: Andy Skib; Label: Arista
–She keeps making the same mistakes, so he advises her quit that no-good guy. “Why you wanna spend another Happy Hour sad?” “He’s another watered-down vodka/soda.” Repetitive, but listenable.

MAREN MORRIS / “Make You Say”
Writers: Zedd/Maren Morris/Charlie Puth/Jacob Kasher Hindlin/Johan Yang/Bernie Yang; Producers: Zedd/BEAUZ; Label: Sony
–Zedd & Morris collaborated on her monster million selling “The Middle.” This reunion isn’t as insanely catchy, but it shares one fact with its predecessor: There is nothing country about it. There are a lot more electronic loops this time around, presumably by the two Yangs, who work under the billing BEAUZ.

Country music has booze on the brain this week.

”What else is new?” you ask. Well, Priscilla Block and Drew Green are having a party time with it, while Parker McCollum and Breland with Lady A are drowning their sorrows. Even more significantly, Dax & Elle King are seriously dealing with the issue of alcoholism.

Neither of our award winners is singing about this theme, however. Tyler Braden earns a Disc of the Day award for just being a vocal sensation. Erin Kinsey is joyously heading for the open road and nailing down a DISCovery Award.

Read on.

ERIN KINSEY / “Just Drive”
Writers: Erin Kinsey/Josh Ronen/Michael August; Producer: Josh Ronan; Label: RECORDS
–The track is bursting with energy and sizzle. On the choruses, the rocked-up guitars almost overwhelm her potent, double-tracked soprano. But overall, this is a commanding performance. Texas-to-Tunetown transplant Kinsey made her Opry debut last month, and it was a dandy.

BRELAND & LADY A / “Told You I Could Drink”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Daniel Breland/Zach Manno; Producers: Sam Sumser/Sean Small/Zach Munno; Label: Bad Realm/Atlantic/Warner
–A slow R&B groove leads to Breland’s hip-hoppy vocal. Lady A’s luscious harmonies kick in on the heartbroken choruses. The group’s dynamic Charles Kelley takes the second verse, pulling us firmly onto country solid ground. In light of his current effort toward sobriety, the lyric seems somewhat ill-timed.

JESSE LABELLE / “My Last Broken Heart”
Writers: Jesse LaBelle/Rob Crosby; Producer: Jesee Labelle; Label: JL
–Labelle’s showcase last Friday at the Listening Room was a home run. He demonstrated full mastery of his craft as a performer—engaging the audience, leading a crackerjack band, commanding the stage and singing his face off. And then there were the songs, as accomplished as anything you will hear in Music City. I’ve liked this guy’s records in the past, and this propulsive new single has rasp, moxie, urgency and fire to spare. It also drove the audience wild. He is totally “ready” and richly deserves a seat at the table. Get on board, A&R reps.

TOBY KEITH / “Peso In My Pocket”
Writer: Toby Keith; Producers: Kenny Greenberg/Toby Keith; Label: Show Dog
–The title tune of Toby’s new album is a good-time stomper, an invitation to a night on the town with “a peso in my pocket and a pepper in my pants/Got a pancho on my shoulder and a cha-cha in my dance.” Snarling guitars and a snarky vocal drive this delightful, south-of-the-border ditty. This total pro shows the kiddies how it’s done, for real. Get well soon, Big Guy. We miss ya.

RACHEL WAMMACK / “Like Me”
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Kelly Archer/Tawgs Salter; Producer: Zach Manno; Label: Sony
–This penetrating ballad is a personal statement of purpose, reclaiming her true self instead of trying to please others all the time. Her intimate vocal is terrific, engaging the listener with every breath, every phrase and every falsetto soprano leap. Bravo.

PARKER McCOLLUM / “Handle on You”
Writers: Parker McCollum/Monty Criswell; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: MCA Nashville
–McCollum is on a roll. This thumpin’ heartbreak song finds him drinking away the blues while the band heats up to a slow rolling boil behind him. Every steel-string twang marks this with country authenticity.

DREW GREEN / “This Miller Lite of Mine”
Writers: Drew Green/Brent Anderson/Smith Ahnquist; Producer: Mark Trussell; Label: Sony
–Who could resist this title? Yes, it borrows the tune of “This Little Light of Mine.” And yes, it rocks.

RICHARD MARX / “One Day Longer”
Writers: Richard Marx/Keith Urban; Producer: none listed; Label: RM
–Marx was a big pop/rock hit-maker in the late 1980s (”Hold On to the Night,” “Right Here Waiting,” “Don’t Mean Nothing,” etc.). His forthcoming Songwriter album is meant to demonstrate that he can write country tunes with finesse. This energetic track takes a page from co-writer Urban’s sunny/uptempo playbook. Quite enjoyable.

TYLER BRADEN / “Try Losing One”
Writers: Tyler Wayne Davis/Adam Newman Wood/Tyler Braden; Producers: Adam Wood/Randy Montana; Label: Warner
–This ex-firefighter has been knocking on the door for far too long. Come on, people. Swing it open wide, because this power ballad burns with ferocious power and passion. His vocal range is simply stunning, beginning in a hushed baritone and rising to high tenor, and then higher still. In a word, wow.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Off the Deep End”
Writers: Priscilla Block/Martin Johnson/Brandon Paddock; Producers: Martin Johnson/Brandon Paddock; Label: Mercury
–She’s so much fun. This sassy bopper urges us all to go a little crazy every now and then. “The whiskey’s fine, jump in!” she exhorts. I want to party with her. Don’t you?

AMANDA SHIRES & MAREN MORRIS / “Empty Cups”
Writer: Amanda Shires; Producer: Lawrence Rothman; Label: ATO
–Shires new Take It Like a Man album is getting lots of media attention. On this Latin-tinged ballad, the Jason Isbell fiddler/spouse is joined by her Highwomen bandmate Morris on high vocal harmony. Their blend is delicious. Keyboards, strings, guitars and punchy percussion swirl in a fabulous mix.

DAX & ELLE KING / “Dear Alcohol”
Writers: Alex Nour/Daniel Nwosu Jr./Elle King; Producer: Lex Nour; Label: RECORDS
–This is yet another attempt to mash up country and hip-hop. Dax has nothing to do with country music, as his vocal and the electro track make plain. King jumps aboard in support, but the result is still more his music than hers. That said, the lyric’s message is definitely three-chords-and-the-truth, a socially conscious masterpiece that faces the struggle for sobriety head on. The video featuring both artists depicts the stark reality of an AA meeting. Essential listening.