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.

Hot enough for ya?

To match the weather, the country artists are heating up your summer playlist this week. Kat & Alex, Tiera Kennedy, a reggae-fied Dolly, Dylan Scott and Charley Crocket lead the way with fine new sounds.

The Disc of the Day belongs to the always effervescent Shania Twain. Check out her new bio documentary. It’s a winner, too.

The DISCovery Award is a toss-up between two duos–BoomTown Saints and O.N.E The Duo. Lend both teams your ears. You won’t be sorry.

CHARLEY CROCKETT / “I’m Just a Clown”
Writer: Charley Crockett; Producer: Bruce Robison; Label: Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers
–Currently wowing crowds opening for Willie Nelson, the prolific Crockett is set to drop The Man From Waco as the latest of his 10+ albums in September. This advance single is a bluesy, horn-punctuated outing with a mid-tempo groove. The band cooks with gas.

DYLAN SCOTT / “Amen to That”
Writers: James McNair/Morgan Wallen/Mark Holman/Micheal Hardy; Producers: Will Weatherly/Matt Alderman/Mark Holman; Label: Curb
–Scott rumbles through this ode to the power of love with honky-tonk confidence and beats to spare. It’s the title tune of his current tour.

O.N.E THE DUO / “Stuck in the Middle”
Writers: Nash Overstreet/Shane Stevens/Tekitha Washington/Prana Supreme Diggs; Producer: Nash Overstreet; Label: Visionary Media Group
–Diggs and Washington are a Black, mother-daughter act who display immense verve on this fiddle-and-guitar ditty. The highly imaginative production pairs their sunny, trippy vocals with acoustic riffs and catchy, clicky percussion. Very ear grabbing.

SHANIA TWAIN / “Not Just a Girl”
Writers: Mark Ralph/Wayne Hector/Shania Twain; Producer: Mark Ralph; Label: EMI
–Twain’s new documentary is currently on Netflix, and it’s an excellent depiction of how gifted and important she is, plus a reminder of why she’s a nominee for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The film’s title tune begins in her low-alto register, then romps into multi-harmonized choruses. As is characteristic of her work, it is also a wildly hooky earworm with girl-power attitude.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Up to No Good”
Writers: Lindsay Rimes/Russell Sutton/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Warner/717 Tapes
–His raspy, drawling delivery and the riff-heavy, rocking choruses give this its outlaw edge.

KAT & ALEX / “We Bought a House”
Writers: Alex Georgia/Josh Osborne/Lindsay Rimes/Kat Georgia; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Sony
–Lovely and lilting. Amid an airy audio atmosphere, they sing of settling into domesticity as young lovers with more passion than money. Sweetly heartfelt.

ALEX WILLIAMS / “No Reservations”
Writers: Alex Wiliams/Mando Saenz; Producer: Ben Fowler; Label: Big Machine/Lightning Rod
–Swaggering and darkly rocking, he stomps and snarls his way through this ode to a musician’s life on the road while guitars scream in accompaniment.

KELLY LANG / “Midnight Train to Georgia”
Writers: Jim Weatherly; Producer: none listed; Label: KL
–On this revival, Lang doesn’t stray too far from the arrangement immortalized by Gladys Knight & The Pips in 1973. Above the horns and backing voices, her silky lead is full of warmth and yearning. A classy performance of a classic song.

POSITIVE VIBRATIONS & DOLLY PARTON / “Two Doors Down”
Writers: Dolly Parton; Producer: The Berman Brothers; Label: BMG Nashville
–Country Goes Reggae is a new album pairing of top Jamaican musicians with such iconic country voices as Toby Keith, Jimmie Allen, Rascal Flatts, Alabama and Randy Houser. The divine Dolly is along for the ride on a bouncy treatment of her upbeat 1978 hit. “Everybody wanna party!” she chirps enthusiastically while the distinctive backbeat lopes along.

BOOMTOWN SAINTS / “All Trucks Go To Heaven”
Writers: Taylor Phillips/Ben Stennis/Jeremy Bussey; Producers: Noah Gordon/Gary Kraen; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
–Tuneful and charming, the song laments the time when you have to give up your beloved but worn-out vehicle. The production is a delight, mixing burbling percussion with pristine guitar lines and tasteful strings. Brilliantly accomplished. BoomTown Saints is a duo comprised of Chris Ramos and Ben Chism.

THE SIX ONE FIVE COLLECTIVE / “Blinding Lights”
Writers: Abel Tesfaye/Ahmad Balshe/Jason Quenneville/Max Martin/Oscar Holter; Producers: Gabe Klein/Gideon Klein; Label: 615
–The group is made up of singer-songwriters Nicole Witt, Jamie Floyd, Michael Logan and Sarah Darling. The song comes from The Weeknd. The four-part harmony work is outstanding, as is the strummy, acoustic, folksy arrangement. Can’t wait to hear what else this combo has up its talented sleeves.

TIERA KENNEDY / “Found It In You”
Writers: Cameron Bedell/Tiera Leftwich; Producer: Cameron Bedell/Dann Huff; Label: Valory
–This was originally released last year when she was billed as simply “Tiera.” Now she has a label deal and is being re-introduced with the lustrous, blissful country love song. Enchanting is the word.

There is an abundance of great listening in today’s DISClaimer.

That’s because this edition explores what’s new in Americana. Which as a genre is so much more interesting than most of what Nashville generates.

And it doesn’t get much more “interesting” than our Disc of the Day winners. The Male prize goes to Lyle Lovett. The Female winner is Brandi Carlile. The duo/group honor belongs to Fancy Hagood & Kacey Musgraves.

This week’s DISCovery Award goes to Jake Blount. Explore his work, because he is really tapping into something cool.

JIM LAUDERDALE / “That Kind of Life”
Writer: Jim Lauderdale; Producers: Jim Lauderdale/Jay Weaver; Label: Sky Crunch
–The longtime host of the Americana Music Awards, Lauderdale is also impressively prolific. He has 34 albums under his belt and is announcing Game Changer as his next with this romping, lead-off track. As always, he respects country tradition by drenching the tune in Telecaster and steel, not to mention his Dixie drawl. The mood is upbeat, peppy and ultimately hopeful. Somewhere, Buck Owens is smiling.

ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS / “Go Your Way”
Writer: Anne Briggs; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Label: Rounder
–The team’s current Raise the Roof collection was No. 1 on the Americana charts for months. This brilliantly produced single from it grows from a stately guitar strum to an epic, throbbing ballad of farewell. It’s beyond gorgeous, although I yearned for more from Krauss than soft backup harmonies.

MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY & RYAN MURPHEY / “El Dorado”
Writers: Michael Martin Murphey/Ryan Murphey; Producer: Michael Martin Murphey; Label: Wild Fire
–The title tune of a duet album by Michael Martin Murphey and his son Ryan is the wafting Road Beyond the View. On this new track from it, the pastoral western imagery we associate with this artist remains in place, but on this outing it’s a spiritual, space-cowboy thang in a burbling, guitar-jazz setting. Plucked notes ripple and ring throughout the gentle production. Captivating.

BRANDI CARLILE / “You and Me on the Rock”
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Phil Hanseroth/Tim Hanseroth; Producers: Dave Cobb/Shooter Jennings; Label: Low Country Sound/Elektra
–Here’s a new single/video from Carlile’s chart-topping In These Silent Days album. I hear the influence of Joni Mitchell in the rapid-fire soprano lilts of the tune. The choppy tempo and stacked vocal harmonies are a delight. This lively, sweet ode to domesticity and steadfastness just might be her strongest performance to date.

LYLE LOVETT / “12th of June”
Writers: Lyle Lovett; Producers: Chuck Ainlay/Lyle Lovett; Label: Verve
–This is the title tune of Lovett’s first new album in 10 years. Part wistful folkie, part heartfelt country and all magnetic meditation, it unspools as an acoustic watercolor of nostalgia, family and love. The eclectic collection also includes jazzbo oldie faves like “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You.” He’s an essential artist, and this is an essential record.

MARCUS KING / “Hard Working Man”
Writers: Marcus King/Angelo Petraglia/Dan Auerbach; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: American Recordings/Republic
–This Nashville guitar-slingin’ hotshot has a new album, Young Blood, coming next month (Aug. 26). This advance single is a barn burner showcasing his bluesy, Southern-rock vocal phrasing as well as his fiery, searing, sensational string licks. Get on board.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW / “Used to Be a Mountain”
Writers: Ketch Secor/Trey Hensley; Producers: Matt Ross-Spang/Old Crow Medicine Show; Label: ATO
–Drawn from its ninth bluegrass-chart topping LP, Paint This Town, the Opry-star band ventures into social commentary with this cautionary environmental song. The tempo rocks furiously and the percussive sound is far removed from the act’s old-timey, string-band roots. Group vocal chanting, frothing fiddle licks and drums abound.

RISSI PALMER / “Best Day Ever”
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Label: Boldilocks
–Palmer is doing such important work with her Color Me Country podcasts. She also remains an outstanding artist. How outstanding? I hate children’s music, but fell totally in love with her new kiddie ditty. It’s irresistibly sunny without being saccharine. It sings to children without pandering. Its language is simple without being simplistic. The acoustic production is lilting and lovely. The video is adorable, too.

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES / “Wheel”
Writers: Jerry Jeff Walker; Producer: Steve Earle; Label: New West
–Earle’s new album, Jerry Jeff, is a salute to Jerry Jeff Walker, one of his main musical mentors. He aims to remind us that the late Walker was more than just “Mr. Bojangles.” This stark, dusty, drawled, existential ballad is an example.

MARGO PRICE, MAVIS STAPLES & ADIA VICTORIA / “Fight to Make It”
Writers: Margo Price/Jeremy Ivey; Producer: none listed; Label: MP
–It’s girl-group heaven, summoning the spirit of Martha & The Vandellas at their most rocking. It’s also a hand-clapping, joyous female anthem with these three Americana queens taking turns in the verses and joining voices on the choruses. Proceeds from the single benefit Noise For Now, an organization supporting reproductive rights. “

JAKE BLOUNT / “Didn’t It Rain”
Writers: Brian Francis Slattery/Jake Meserve Blount; Producers: Jake Blount/Brian Slattery; Label: Smithsonian Folkways
–This classic gospel song was popularized by Sister Rosetta Tharp and Mahalia Jackson. Blount’s version is part of his Afro-futurist new concept album The New Faith. It’s also a shoulder-shaking, rhythm-happy audio pleasure, bopping with clinking/thumping/snappy percussion, hand claps, group call-and-response and artsy electric-guitar interludes. Blount is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist who specializes in the banjo and other African American folk traditions. The New Englander is also a published scholar and music journalist.

FANCY HAGOOD & KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Blue Dream Baby”
Writers: Fancy Hagood/Karen Fairchild/Alysa Vanderheym; Producer: Alysa Vanderheym; Label: FH
–Hagood’s latest is a dreamy pop confection with built-in dancefloor potential. Musgraves’ verses underscore the spacey, ethereal, romantic mood. The animated video imagines him being abducted by stud “gayliens.”

”Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.”

With apologies to the Gershwins and Porgy & Bess, the country stars are making that sentiment a reality with a picnic of sunshine-y sounds this week.

Leading the way is Miranda Lambert, who wins the Disc of the Day honor. The column is full of “name” attractions, so no newcomer DisCovery awardee this time around.

NICOLLE GALYON / “Boy Crazy”
Writers: Nicolle Galyon/Kelsea Ballerini/Hillary Lindsey; Producers: King Henry/Jimmy Robbins; Label: Songs & Daughters
–Sharply observed lyrics, a tart/wise vocal and a stark, spare imaginative production make this a hang-on-every-line listening experience. Co-writers Ballerini and Lindsey provide harmony support. I can’t wait for Galyon’s upcoming album debut. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s going to be an Event.

KEITH URBAN / “Brown Eyes Baby”
Writers: Will Bundy/Rodney Clawson/Josh Thompson/Morgan Wallen; Producers: Dann Huff/Keith Urban; Label: Capitol Nashville
–This casts Urban as The Comforter, here to brighten your dark day with some mid-tempo sunshine. Introduced on Thursday morning’s Today show, it goes down super smoothly.

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Strange”
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Luke Dick/Natalie Hemby; Producers: Miranda Lambert/Luke Dick/Jon Randall; Label: RCA
–It takes a little while to take off, but once it does, it’s a dandy ride. Lambert takes a look at these crazy times and suggests a few ways to liven the mood. “Do anything to keep you sane,” she sings. Amen, sister: You’re coming in loud and clear.

JOE NICHOLS / “Good Day For Living”
Writers: Bobby Hamrick/Dave Cohen/Neil Mason; Producers: Mickey Jack Cones/Derek George; Label: Quartz Hill
–The title tune of Nichols’ new album bubbles with energy. He lit up the Opry stage with it recently, and it sure sounded fresh. Upbeat, uplifting, bright, delightfully positive and just the thing to add some zip to your playlist.

MORGAN WALLEN /”You Proof”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ernest Keith Smith/Morgan Wallen/Ryan Vojtesak; Producers: Joey Moi/Charlie Handsome; Label: Big Loud
–All the whiskey in the bar can’t get her off his mind. The track burbles along with droplets of cool guitar notes, finger snaps and jaunty undertow rhythm. As usual, he sings with immense personality and verve.

INGRID ANDRESS / “Pain”
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Laura Veltz/Sam Ellis; Producers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis; Label: Warner
–Her vocal performance is quite range-y and accomplished. The overall vibe is pop power ballad with strings and steel.

RANDY HOUSER / “Workin’ Man”
Writers: Randy Houser/Randy Montana; Producers: Randy Houser/Blake Chancey; Label: Magnolia Music Group
–The excellent “Note To Self” remains the single, but this track from his forthcoming album with that title also contains this rousing blue-collar anthem. Houser sings it with a barn-burner baritone that dips and growls in all the right places. He’s such an amazing vocalist, and this is a classic country message.

MADDIE & TAE / “Every Night Every Morning”
Writers: Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr/Jonathan Singleton/Brock Berryhill; Producers: Derek Wells/Jimmy Robbins; Label: Mercury
–Breezy, tuneful and youthful. Giddy in love, and full of sunshine. Well worth your spins.

KIP MOORE / “Fire on Wheels”
Writers: Kip Moore/Jaren Johnston; Producers: Kip Moore/Jaren Johnston; Label: MCA
–It’s a fiery rocker that journeys through the American heartland with hoarse exhortations. Scream and dance along.

JAKE HOOT / “Had It To Lose”
Writers: Jake Hoot/Matt Warren/Matt Nolan; Producer: Danny Myrick; Label: JH
–This winner of The Voice is a commanding vocal presence on this blue-collar country rocker with an Everyman message. Potent, penetrating and ultimately relatable.