DISClaimer Single Reviews: Sister Sadie Brings ‘Tart Lyric & Swaying Fiddling’

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Sister Sadie

The country-music scene is thoughtful and contemplative today, with a solid lineup of slower fare. 

Bucking the ballad trend in this edition of DISClaimer is the all-female band Sister Sadie. Its new music sounds like a blend of bluegrass and ‘90s country, and the fusion works like gangbusters. Check out our rollicking Disc of the Day winner, “Do What You Want.”

Taking home this week’s DISCovery Award is Zach John King.

THE STEELDRIVERS / “Booze and Cigarettes”
Writers: Tammy Rogers King/Verlon Thompson; Producer: The Steeldrivers; Label: Sun Records
– The SteelDrivers dropped their new Outrun album last week, and this single from it is a bluesy bluegrass treat. The lonely guy in the bar isn’t a regular…. yet. He’s just drinking and smoking by himself, because that’s what he deserves. The brisk tempo and hearty vocals sound just fine. The band is celebrating its 20th anniversary and dedicates the new set to late, lamented group mainstay, Mike Henderson.

JOSH TURNER / “Unsung Hero”
Writers: Josh Turner; Producer: Kenny Greenberg; Label: MCA Nashville
– Turner wrote this about his grandfather, one of the “greatest generation” men who nobly fought in World War II. The rolling tempo, the swirling minor-key instrumental track and the singer’s resonant baritone give it oomph and drama.

HUDSON WESTBROOK & MIRANDA LAMBERT / “House Again”
Writers: Dan Alley/Hudson Westbrook/Neil Medley; Producers: Lukas Scott, Ryan Youmans; Label: River House Artists/Warner Music Nashville
– It’s a slow waltz with the singers swapping verses about the dissolution of a relationship and the empty house that used to be a home. The close-harmony vocal passages are twin-like. Perfectly executed.

RODNEY CROWELL & ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Taking Flight”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Rodney Crowell; Producer: Tyler Bryant; Label: New West Records
– A wanderer’s saga, complete with missteps, heartbreak and abandonment. The detail in the lyric is super engaging. Crowell and McBryde both sound resigned and world weary as the tale slowly unfolds. Rodney Crowell plays next Wednesday (June 4) at Cheekwood in its Under the Stars concert series. Showtime is 7 p.m. Be there.

JOHN MORGAN / “Kid Myself”
Writers: John Morgan/Jordan Schmidt/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Brent Anderson; Label: Broken Bow Records
– He fell into a relationship when he was too young to know the ropes. Now he regrets how it all went down, because he misses her. Sincere sounding. Recommended.

LAINEY WILSON / “Somewhere Over Laredo”
Writers: Andy Albert/Dallas Wilson/Edgar Yipsel Harburg/Harold Arlen/Lainey Wilson/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Broken Bow Records
– The song is okay, but her expressive, beautifully shaded and perfectly phrased vocal performance of it is topflight. The production frames the performance with exquisite, understated elegance.

ZACH JOHN KING / “Lose You”
Writers: Alex Hope/Sasha Alex Sloan/Zach John King; Producer: Ryan Wilson; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Strummy, energetic and jaunty. Devotion, sung with verve and addictive hooks. I’m in.

DUSTIN LYNCH / “Easy To Love”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Dustin Lynch/Hunter Phelps/Jon Hall/Zach Crowell; Producer: none listed; Label: BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records
– An easy-going track accompanies a ditty about how tough it is for him to be in a relationship.

SISTER SADIE / “Do What You Want”
Writers: Dani Flowers/Erin Enderlin/Sharon Richardson; Producer: Deanie Richardson; Label: Mountain Home Music Company
– The much honored and applauded all-female bluegrass sextet returns with a totally cool, waltz-time outing of feisty, independent-female sass. A delightful listen, from the tart lyric to the swaying fiddling, from the glorious harmonies to the rowdy-gang finale. The schoolhouse video is a blast. The tune is drawn from the band’s All Will Be Well album, which drops on June 27. Can’t wait.

SHERYL CROW / “I Know”
Writer: Sheryl Crow; Producer: Sheryl Crow; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– This is Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognition, the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee offers this poignant, soothing song that addresses her struggles with depression. The gentle, acoustic-based production surrounds her flawless soprano vocal with a lovely, wafting breeze of sound. We are so blessed to have this nine-time Grammy winner in our community.

JON BELLION & LUKE COMBS / “Why”
Writers: Aaron Dessner/Amy Allen/Blake Slatkin/Jonathan Bellion; Producers: Aaron Dessner, Blake Slatkin, Jon Bellion, Pete Nappi; Label: JB
– Pop singer and top producer Bellion enlisted country powerhouse Combs to join him on this powerful meditation about the fears and joys of fatherhood. The mighty Luke does not let him down, and the two dads communicate evocatively on the ballad. Thoroughly compelling listening.

GAVIN ADCOCK / “Never Call Again”
Writers: Colton Venner/Gavin Adcock/Jack Rauton/Joybeth Taylor; Producer: Jay Rodgers; Label: Thrivin Here Records/Warner Music Nashville
– Plaintive and aching. Singing at the top of his range, he burns with heartache.

REBECCA LYNN HOWARD / “Strong”
Writers: Elisha Hoffman/Jennifer Fiedler/Rebecca Lynn Howard/Trey Smith; Producer: Elisha Hoffman; Label: Pump House Records
– ‘Keep on keepin’ on,’ sings Howard on this empowering, inspiring ballad. And does she sing. This lady remains one of our most potent country vocalists, and she shows in her comeback music that she has lost none of her fire. I was a fan when she emerged on the scene as a teenager in 1999, and I’m still a fan today. The new album, I’m Not Who You Think I Am, dropped earlier this month.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Keb’ Mo’ & Taj Mahal Celebrate Friendship & Community

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Keb’ Mo’ & Taj Mahal. Photo: David McClister

Country music gets folkie this week in DISClaimer.

Crowe Boys, Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson, Dylan Gossett and Hailey Whitters lead an acoustic-music parade that also includes our Disc of the Day winners Keb’ Mo’ & Taj Mahal (with an assist from Ruby Amanfu).

For those of you wishing for mainstream country sounds, look no further than the new releases by Midland, Dierks Bentley and Sacha.

Kaitlin Butts stages her debut in the column via her duet with Tyler Braden. She shares a DISCovery Award with fellow newcomer Alexandra Kay.

HAILEY WHITTERS & CHARLES WESLEY GODWIN / “I Don’t Want You”
Writers: Gordie Sampson/Hailey Whitters/Jon Nite; Producer: Jake Gear; Label: Pigasus Records/Big Loud Records
– They are both fine country singers, but neither one sings harmony. As usual, she is a heart-piercing stylist, and this is her show all the way. The dobro-dominated track is simply lovely. Whitters will celebrate the release of her new Corn Queen album at Grimey’s on June 6.

DIERKS BENTLEY / “Standing in the Sun”
Writer: Kyle Sturrock; Producers: Jon Randall, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Stirring, radiant and deeply involving. The well-written song draws on vivid weather imagery to portray love and devotion, and Bentley sings it with a full heart.

TAMI NELSON, ASHLEY McBRYDE & SHELLY FAIRCHILD / “Borrow My Boots”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Shelly Fairchild/Tami Neilson; Producer: Steven Schram; Label: Outside Music
– This rousing, female-empowerment number is a trio-harmony blast. Guitar prodigy Grace Bowers contributes a blistering solo that amps up the already ample energy.

CLAY WALKER / “Cowboys in Heaven”
Writers: Clay Walker/Jaron Boyer/John Stephens/Matt Gorman; Producers: Jaron Boyer, Tony Brown; Label: Maven Records
– A simple sentiment, simply performed.

TYLER BRADEN & KAITLIN BUTTS / “Might Be Dangerous”
Writers: Heath Warren/Kyle Sturrock/Micah Carpenter/Zach Kale; Producer: Sam Martinez; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– There aren’t many singers who can stand toe to toe with the superb Braden. Butts is up to the challenge, with open-throated harmonizing and expressive solo turns. This duet performance is loaded with fire and passion. By all means, play this.

KEB’ MO’ & TAJ MAHAL & RUBY AMANFU / “Room on the Porch”
Writers: Ahmen Mahal/Henry St Claire Fredericks, Jr./Kevin R. Moore/Ruby Amanfu; Producers: Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal; Label: Concord Records
– This is the title tune of the second TajMo collaborative album. The gifted Nashville diva Ruby Amanfu is their guest vocalist on the rolling, swaying, relaxing, welcoming, sweet-sounding, acoustic outing that celebrates friendship and community. This is absolutely essential listening. The Grammy winning blues masters are booked to appear on the Opry tomorrow (May 23), which is also their album-release day. I bet they’ll bring the house down.

GRAHAM BARHAM / “WTH Just Happened?”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Cole Miracle/Gabe Foust/Graham Barham/Sam Bergeson; Producers: Gabe Foust, Sam Bergeson; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The broken-hearted ballad verses abruptly contrast with the loud, rollicking, goofball choruses. Weird but charming.

RHIANNON GIDDENS & JUSTIN ROBINSON / “Going to Raleigh”
Writers: none listed; Producers: Joseph “joebass” DeJarnette, Rhiannon Giddens; Label: Nonesuch
– Giddens returns to her string-band roots with the new collection, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, a reunion with Robinson, her former Carolina Chocolate Drops partner. The album features him fiddling and her banjo frailing on a number of old-time tunes, including this mesmerizing 1939 instrumental oldie. Rootsy and righteous.

CROWE BOYS / “Brother Song”
Writer: Ocie Crowe; Producer: Andrew Campanelli; Label: MCA
– Brothers Ocie and Wes Crowe croon gently on this poetic, acoustic, vulnerable meditation. It’s an advance track from their album Made to Wander, which drops next month. Promising.

MIDLAND / “Glass Half Empty”
Writers: Cameron Duddy/Jeff Hyde/Jess Carson/Ryan Tyndell; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Big Machine Records
– This is a rhythm-happy, barroom honky tonker that’s Country with a capital “C.” Big fun in every groove.

SACHA / “Nice Girl”
Writers: Emma-Lee/Karen Kosowski/Sacha Visagie/Victoria Banks; Producer: Paul Sikes; Label: Sony Music Canada
– ‘If you wanna pave a road, gotta get down in the dirt/If you wanna make your mark, gotta hit ‘em where it hurts.’ Also: Kiss that “nice girl” image goodbye. This lively bopper scores points on all fronts — saucy vocal, cool production, dandy lyrics. Sacha is a solid country star in Canada, and I see no reason why she shouldn’t be one in the U.S. as well.

ALEXANDRA KAY / “The Last”
Writers: Alexandra Kay/Andrew DeRoberts/Jon Green; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts; Label: BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville
– Lovely, lovely work. Her soprano tickles the ears, and the songwriting is topnotch. He might not be her first lover, but she sure as heck wants him to be her last. The sweetly rolling production wafts the whole thing along. A delightful listening experience.

DYLAN GOSSETT / “American Trail”
Writers: Colton Forrest Hardy/Dylan Gossett; Producer: Dylan Gossett; Label: Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records
– Kinda artsy. Acoustic-based, troubadour music with a folkie tinge.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Megan Moroney Salutes ‘The King Of No-Shoes Nation’

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Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney. Photo: CeCe Dawson

Real country sounds dominate this edition of DISClaimer.

Bucking the trends of pop-country and hip-hop in the genre, a number of folks are laying down some back-to-basics sounds this week. They include McCoy Moore, Jamey Johnson with Lily Maola, a Reba/Miranda/Lainey trio, Matt Schuster, Jim Lauderdale, Jake Worthington and DISCovery Award winner Evan Bartels. Even Bruce Springsteen is on board, serving up a splendid retro rockabilly track.

The Disc of the Day is a salute to the king of the no-shoes nation—“You Had to Be There,” starring Megan Moroney with Kenny Chesney.

WENDY MOTEN / “You Are Worthy”
Writers: Faith Caplinger/Wendy Moten; Producer: Dale Penner; Label: Synapse Publishing & Entertainment
– Moten’s delivery of this stately, inspirational blues anthem is riveting. Her goosebump-y performance is utterly thrilling. It’s drawn from a documentary in production titled Women Behind the Lyrics – Country Edition, which follows four female indie singer-songwriters as they craft music and tour together. In the meantime, she’s hitting the road for a summer tour in Vince Gill’s band starting this month.

MEGAN MORONEY & KENNY CHESNEY / “You Had to Be There”
Writers: Ben Williams/Mackenzie Carpenter/Megan Moroney/Micah Carpenter; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Nashville/Columbia Records
– What a complete delight. This sounds like a party, if I’ve ever heard one. Moroney wrote it as a thank-you to Chesney for taking her out on tour when her career was launching last year. He jumps right into the spirit of things as she unspools this romping bopper. Here comes summer.

EVAN BARTELS / “To Make You Cry”
Writers: Bobby Tomberlin/Curt Gibbs/Evan Bartels; Producers: Dave “Squirrel” Covell, Evan Bartels, Rico Csabai; Label: Lost Highway Records
– The title tune of this artist’s debut major-label CD is a stark, hushed, gripping ballad performed in a trembling, dark baritone that commands attention. He recorded it in his cabin with just acoustic-guitar accompaniment. That and a few echoey production touches are all that’s needed to make you sit up and take notice. A major new voice.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN / “Repo Man”
Writer: Bruce Springsteen; Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Ron Aniello; Label: Columbia/Legacy
– The Boss recorded a full country album in 1995 that has remained unissued until now. Titled Somewhere North of Nashville, it will drop next month. This advance track is a rockabilly rave-up with energy busting out of every groove. Augmented by steel and keyboards, the band cooks up a storm as he barks out this barn burner. A boatload of fun.

JAKE WORTHINGTON / “It Ain’t the Whiskey”
Writers: Jake Worthington/Jeff Hyde/Roger Springer/Will Banister; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– He gets pulled over for drunk driving, but insists he’s just high on her love. Along with Zach Top, Worthington is our finest emerging country singer, and this tongue-in-cheek hillbilly rocker is a brilliant showcase of his talent. Absolutely play this and free your mind. It’s about dang time country music started sounding like country music again.

REBA McENTIRE, MIRANDA LAMBERT & LAINEY WILSON / “Trailblazer”
Writers: Brandy Clark/Lainey Wilson/Miranda Lambert; Producers: Reba McEntire, Tony Brown; Label: Rockin’ R Records
– Introduced at the ACM Awards, this is an utterly historic collaboration among three generations of female country excellence. The song name checks Dolly, Loretta, Patsy and Tammy as it two-steps its way into your heart. A stunning, undeniable single.

JIM LAUDERDALE / “Artificial Intelligence”
Writer: Jim Lauderdale; Producers: Jay Weaver, Jim Lauderdale; Label: Sky Crunch Records
– Leave it to Lauderdale. He’s got his fingertips on the national pulse as he muses that AI is “testing our common sense: what’s real or deep fake.” As the honky-tonk moaner progresses, he ultimately wonders, “Did I write this song?”

LAUREN ALAINA & CHASE MATTHEW / “All My Exes”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Jimmy Gutch/Lauren Alaina/Whitney Phillips; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– She knows she’s a handful. He knows that he’s hard-headed, too. Apparently, all of their former partners will attest to this. The pop track has a choppy rhythm pattern and some looped sonic touches. Pleasant, but little more.

JOHN COWAN / “Boomerang”
Writers: none listed; Producer: Scott Vestal; Label: True Lonesome
– The voice of New Grass Revival returns to form on this complex acoustic track packed with mandolin, fiddle, bass and guitar runs, flourishes and solos. His high-tenor vocal wails with the heartbreak of repeating romantic disasters. It’s drawn from his current collection titled Fiction.

SHABOOZEY & JELLY ROLL / “Amen”
Writers: Collins Obinna Chibueze/Danny Majic/Jackson Foote/Jason DeFord/Jordan Gray/Kevin Powers/Nevin Sastry/Sean Cook/Seth Ennis; Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– The hand-clapping track strums along merrily. but the lyric means business. They’re headed for self destruction, but drop to their knees to beg for redemption, mercy and renewal. Breezy and ridiculously catchy. You’ll find it on the Deluxe edition of Shaboozey’s Gold-selling LP Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going.

LILY MEOLA & JAMEY JOHNSON / “Never Want This to Change”
Writers: Ben West/Lily Meola/Melissa Fuller; Producer: Ben West; Label: Nettwerk Music Group
– Hawaii native Meola has an aching, soulful, penetrating delivery. Johnson shadows her every jazz-country vocal lick perfectly on this slow-burn love ballad. Magnificently done.

McCOY MOORE / “John Deere Blue”
Writers: Johnny Clawson/McCoy Moore/Shane McAnally; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– He’ll get over her when money grows on trees, cowboy go East, stars shine brighter over New York City and when they paint a John Deere blue. Classy, classic-sounding country.

MATT SCHUSTER / “Dumb (Good Ol’ Time)”
Writers: Cleo Tighe/Jesse Fink/Joshua Murty/Peter Fenn; Producers: Joshua Murty, Peter Fenn; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– He’s headed for a good time, “trying to get dumb, dumb, dumb.” Sounds like a happy dope to me. The track percolates relentlessly with an appropriately silly vibe.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trisha Yearwood Delivers A ‘Deliciously Bluesy Rocker’

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Trisha Yearwood

It might be rainy in Music City these days, but the country stars are bringing summer sunshine in this edition of DISClaimer.

Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs, Dale Ann Bradley, Maddie & Tae, Parker McCollum and Cole Swindell lead an upbeat parade of shiny new sounds for the season.

Setting the pace is superstar Trisha Yearwood, who nails down a Disc of the Day prize.

This week’s DISCovery Award winner is Zandi Holup.

SOMETHING OUT WEST / “Bipolar Heart”
Writers: Brendan Cooney/Drew Arthur/TJ Courtney; Producer: Julian Raymond; Label: Big Machine Records
– Probably the first country song to use the term “bipolar” as its chorus hook. Otherwise, it’s a fairly straightforward gathering of routine heartbreak couplets. The act is a duo composed of Chet Hanks and Drew Arthur. Hanks, who sings lead, is the son of Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN & LUKE COMBS / “Backup Plan”
Writers: Jimi Bell/Jon Sherwood/Tucker Beathard; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville
– This one’s a righteous outlaw stomper that advises you believe in yourself and your ambitions. Both men sing with chesty authority. If life knocks you down, “Gettin’ back up is the only backup plan you need.”

KAREN WALDRUP / “Blue Cowboy Boots”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: KW
– It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from this former contender on The Voice. This outing is a frothing country rocker with a band kicking butt behind her frisky vocal. The lyric is about getting over him by having a big night on the town in her feel-good footwear.

COLE SWINDELL / “We Can Always Move On”
Writers: Kyle Fishman/Michael Tyler/Thomas Archer; Producers: Jimmy Robbins, Kyle Fishman; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– A gently rhythmic track gives this a breezy vibe. Swindell’s vocal sounds kinda processed as he offers an aching invitation to have one last night together before breaking up for good. Very, very listenable.

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS / “What We Had”
Writers: David Rawlings/Gillian Welch; Producer: David Rawlings; Label: Acony Records
– The esteemed Nashville duo appeared on Stephen Colbert’s show on Tuesday night performing music from Woodland, which won a Best Folk Album Grammy in February. This wistful track augments the team’s guitar-and-voice sonic palate with a lovely wash of echoey strings. Dreamy. Sublime.

THOMAS RHETT & TUCKER WETMORE / “Small Town Girls”
Writers: Andrew Haas/Ian Franzino/John Byron/Josh Kerr/John Ryan/Julian Bunetta/Rocky Block/Thomas Rhett; Producers: Dann Huff, Josh Kerr, Julian Bunetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Sounds like summer to me. The steady, thumpy groove is punctuated by echo-twang effects and country-rap passages. The title phrase is repeated and repeated and repeated.

PHIL VASSAR / “All American Summer”
Writers: Phil Vassar/Tony Mullins; Producer: Dean Sams; Label: American Soul
– Vassar is singing in a striking, throaty lower register on this galloping rocker. Rather than his trademark piano playing, the track is dominated by electric guitar.

MADDIE & TAE / “Chasing Babies & Raising Dreams”
Writers: Anna Vaus/Josh Kerr/Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr; Producer: Josh Kerr; Label: Mercury Nashville
– This vibrant, vivacious team released Love & Light as its new album last week. Now there’s a sweet CMT music video for this enchanting ditty about family love. Swirly, shiny and sunny.

SAPPHYRE BLU / “Burn Me”
Writer: Arielle “Sapphyre Blu” White; Producer: James “Xzaviar” Ashcroft; Label: HRDRV
– Okay I get it: You have blue hair and blue flowers and your name is Sapphyre Blu. Raised in Nashville, this L.A. artist gives this slow bluesy number some vocal fire with soprano soaring and dramatic alto dips. She cites country stars as her inspirations, but this leans much more toward R&B.

PARKER McCOLLUM / “Big Sky”
Writers: Charlie Magnone/Jarrod Morris/Parker McCollum; Producers: Eric Masse, Frank Liddell; Label: MCA Nashville
– The rocking “What Kinda Man” remains the single, but this new track from his forthcoming album has a lot to recommend it. His vocal performance is first-rate on the rolling melody and the traveling track moves right along. He loves the wide open spaces but is a lonely, wandering man.

ZANDI HOLUP / “Mountain Man”
Writers: Daniel Leathersitch/Zandi Holup; Producers: Ryan Hadlock, Zandi Holup; Label: Big Loud Records
– She has an attractive rasp in her drawling delivery. In the lyric of this languid, folk-y song, she’s smitten with an outdoorsy guy who won’t stick around long. Interesting sound. I’m intrigued. Send more.

TRISHA YEARWOOD / “The Wall or the Way Over”
Writers: Emma-Lee/Maia Sharp/Trisha Yearwood; Producers: Chad Carlson, Trisha Yearwood; Label: Virgin Music Group/Gwendolyn Records
– Produced with crystal clarity and dynamic tension, this exudes energy. As usual, this goddess has few peers as a supreme vocalist. The deliciously bluesy rocker is drawn from Yearwood’s upcoming The Mirror, her first self-penned collection. I love this. Can’t wait to hear the rest.

DALE ANN BRADLEY / “Uncle Jake”
Writer: Dale Ann Bradley; Producer: none listed; Label: Pinecastle Records
– Bradley is a six-time winner as Female Vocalist of the Year of the IBMA. This just-released story song tells the tale of a Kentucky fellow who lives “off the grid” and has  a loving, blessed, simple life as an Appalachian wood carver. The track is an acoustic delight of rippling guitar and mandolin. Beautifully written and performed.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kelsea Ballerini Lets Go Of Emotional Baggage

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Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Nyk Allen, Courtesy of Black River Entertainment

As the spring season warms up, country artists are upping the tempo.

Offering excellent upbeat efforts this week are Josh Ross, Jake Worthington & Marty Stuart, Colbie Caillat & Russell Dickerson, HuneyFire and our Disc of the Day awardee, Kelsea Ballerini.

The DISCovery Award du jour is Christian Hayes.

CHRISTIAN HAYES / “Through It All”
Writers: Christian Hayes/Jonah Kagen; Producer: Jonah Kagen; Label: Capitol Records
– Strikingly different and way cool. There’s an ear-catching twang-jangle guitar clanging beneath his folkie tenor vocal. The ballad is embellished by falsetto yodel leaps on the choruses as he struggles to find equilibrium following a failed relationship.

COLBIE CAILLAT & RUSSELL DICKERSON / “If You Love Me Let Me Go”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/Jamie Scott/John Ryan/Julian Bunetta; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records
– Deliciously melodic. They twin-harmonize splendidly, the percussion track thumps softly, guitars twinkle in the mix and the production is flawless. I am in love with this sound. Play it again.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER / “Bitter Ender”
Writer: Mary Chapin Carpenter; Producer: Josh Kaufman; Label: Lambent Light Records
– Acoustic strumming, harmonica and spare percussion set the mood for her smoky alto delivery. The compelling lyric describes a hopeful heart that always seems to end affairs on an angry, rueful note. Marvelously listenable, the track is an advance of Personal History, her 17th album, due next month.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “Baggage”
Writers: Alysa Vanderheym/Hillary Lindsey/Jessie Jo Dillon/Karen Fairchild/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Alysa Vanderheym, Kelsea Ballerini; Label: Black River Entertainment
– She’s feeling frisky and free, because she’s letting go of her emotional baggage. The country-rock track features a gal-pal sing-along finale, rapid guitar strums, bouncing rhythm and a searing electric guitar break. Sing and dance along.

DYLAN MARLOWE & CONNOR SMITH / “Country In the Clouds”
Writers: Brent Anderson/David Medlin/Dylan Marlowe/Jameson Rodgers/Zach Abend; Producers: Joe Fox, Zach Abend; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Breezy brushed rhythms and sparkling steel, banjo and guitar licks underscore a lyric that imagines a blissful Heaven that is full of all things country.

JAKE WORTHINGTON & MARTY STUART / “I’m the One”
Writers: Jake Worthington/Jenna LaMaster/Marty Stuart; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Marty’s twangin’ electric guitar sets the pace. Worthington’s Possum-and-Lefty influenced vocal bends notes every whichaway on this rompin’ rockbilly raveup. A complete blast from the first note to the cold close. A mini-masterpiece.

HUNEYFIRE / “Gonna Live (How I Wanna Live)”
Writers: Caitlin Evanson/Cheaza Figueroa/Denny Mishler/Michael Vittima; Producer: Cheaza Figueroa; Label: Double Decades Entertainment
– The mother-daughter duo returns with a rocker that sports a lively Bo Diddley beat, handclaps, stinging electric guitar and a furiously sawing fiddle. The have-fun lyric is perfect for summertime.

LOCASH / “Wrong Hearts”
Writers: Chris Lucas/Josh Thompson/Matt Dragstrem/Preston Brust; Producer: Jacob Rice; Label: Galaxy Label Group
– He thanks all his bad decisions because they led him to her. Sung with heart and country confidence.

WILLIE NELSON / “What Kind of Love”
Writers: Rodney Crowell/Roy Orbison/Will Jennings; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Label: Legacy Recordings
– Willie turned 92 years old this week and celebrated by releasing his latest album, Oh What a Beautiful World. The gorgeous title tune is out as a single. The collection kicks off with this stately, echoey track anchored by the superstar’s emotive reading of its meditation-on-devotion lyric. The entire collection consists of Rodney Crowell songs, which is truly a match made in heaven. I am definitely going to buy this record.

MOE BANDY / “You Don’t Have Very Far To Go”
Writers: Merle Haggard/Red Simpson; Producer: Jimmy Capps; Label: StarVista
– I think of this song as a country classic, so I was shocked to find that it has never been a hit single. Haggard co-wrote and sang the original version in 1964. It has since been covered by a country who’s-who, including Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely, Roy Clark, Rosanne Cash, Lucinda Williams, Johnny Paycheck, Suzy Bogguss and The Grascals. Bandy’s rendition is rather thinly produced. It’s drawn from his Songs I Missed album, which drops tomorrow (May 2).

JOSH ROSS / “Hate How You Look”
Writers: Chris McKenna/Christian Yancey/Jessica Farren/Nicholas Sainato; Producer: Matt Geroux; Label: Core Entertainment
– Ross is the current Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Entertainer of the Year and the winner of the CMA’s Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award. His latest is a marvelously well written toe tapper. It’s not just how good she looks in that red dress—he also hates how she looks “movin’ on” with somebody new. The superbly produced track soars right along with his powerful delivery. It made me feel like soaring, too.

CHRIS JANSON / “Me & A Beer”
Writers: Andy Sheridan/Ashley Gorley/Chris Janson/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Andy Sheridan, Chris Janson; Label: Harpeth 60 Records/Warner Music Nashville
– He can’t do much hard work, pick up girls, go hunting or relax unless he has a beer in his hand. If you say so…..

COFFEY ANDERSON / “Happy and You Know It Drink a Beer”
Writers: Carlo Colasacco/James Slater/Kate Sykes/Styles Haury; Producer: Carlo Colasacco; Label: Lakeside Entertainment
– This repetitive folk ditty has a history as a children’s tune as well as a drinking song. Granger Smith previously brought it to country music as the latter (2020’s ”Country and Ya Know It”). It’s not a particularly challenging vocal piece. Anderson is appropriately jaunty and simple.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson Is ‘Philosophical, Moody & Super Compelling’

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Cody Johnson. Photo: Chris Douglas

I’m not hearing a lot of playlist essentials among this week’s DISClaimer candidates.

The highlights of the listening session included Runaway June, Bryce Leatherwood, Hardy, Dierks Bentley and our excellent Disc of the Day award winner, Cody Johnson.

The DISCovery Award winner is the aptly named Pynk Beard.

HARDY / “Favorite Country Song”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Beau Bailey/Michael Hardy/Zach Abend; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– He hears everything around him, but nothing sounds as good as the sounds of nature back home. Written with finesse and sung with fire. Hardy stages his Grand Ole Opry debut next Tuesday (April 29).

CHASE MATTHEW & LAUREN ALAINA / “Heart Half Empty”
Writers: Austin Shawn/Bailey Manns/Chase Matthew/Matt McVaney/Noah West/Shaylen; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– These two really tear it up on this power ballad. “With a glass half full, but a heart half empty,” alcohol is ravaging a relationship as he struggles to make things right. Nicely done.

PYNK BEARD / “I Lived”
Writers: Coleridge Tillman/Jeff Gitelman; Producers: Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, Pynk Beard; Label: Red Bull Records
– He’s a hit songwriter with a punk-pink beard, hence his billing. Fortunately, his music is as memorable as his image. The gospel-bred native of Birmingham expertly blends soul and country in this stirring meditation. There’s something about Cole’s confident, powerful, gripping delivery that makes me think he’s probably a really charismatic pulpit performer.

DIERKS BENTLEY / “Well Well Whiskey”
Writers: Devin Dawson/Jordan Reynolds/Seth Ennis; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– He stares down a bottle in this frothing, driving stomper. Rising from the boiling stew of sound are his growly vocal and a hair-raising Bryan Sutton guitar solo. Excitement in the grooves.

BRYCE LEATHERWOOD / “Shenandoah”
Writers: Bryce Leatherwood/Jeffrey East/Josh Kelley; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: UMG Nashville
– He brings a burnished baritone voice to this soaring, melodic country love ballad. Strings, steel, harmony vocalists and percussion bolster a brilliantly wistful performance. I’m in.

CODY JOHNSON / “The Fall”
Writers: Bobby Pinson/Jeremy Stover/Ray Fulcher; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
– Philosophical, moody and super compelling. “The ride was worth the fall/The fall was worth the smile/Smiles were worth the tears…Life is worth the fall.” A superb song in the throat of a master stylist. Essential.

LANIE GARDNER / “Concrete Cowboy”
Writers: Chris Ganoudis/Katie Cecil/Lanie Gardner; Producers: Chris Ganoudis, Katie Cecil; Label: BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville
– She has a cool, husky, drawled delivery that is perfect for this saga of a country gal whose heart is broken by a city boy. Smooth honey mixed with burning whiskey.

LITTLE FEAT / “Too High to Cut My Hair”
Writers: Fred Tackett/Scott Sharrard; Producers: Bill Payne, Scott Sharrard, Vance Powell; Label: Hot Tomato Productions
– I have always loved this band. Reunited and reinvigorated, their Nashville recorded comeback features blues-funk rhythms and stuttering horns. Plus a video shot at Eastside Bowl. Rock and Americana programmers take note.

KELSEY WALDON / “Commanche”
Writer: Kelsey Waldon; Producers: Justin Francis, Kelsey Waldon; Label: Oh Boy Records
– The Kentucky singer-songwriter explores solitude and finds solace in her Jeep Commanche while guitars and fiddles sparkle around her.

RUNAWAY JUNE / “New Kind of Emotion”
Writers: Jennifer Wayne/Natalie Stovall/Paul Sikes/Stevie Woodward; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Quartz Hill Records
– Gorgeously produced. Flawless triplet harmonies seduce the ears as you enter this dreamy, swoon-worthy track. What a delicious dessert dish.

AVERY ANNA / “Danny Don’t”
Writer: Avery Anna; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Anna’s upcoming album is based on letters she’s received from fans who unburdened themselves of their problems. On this stripped-down acoustic ballad, she tells the tale of a child begging her dad not to be suicidal and to press ahead instead.

SAM BARBER / “Man of the Year”
Writer: Sam Barber; Producers: Joe Becker, Ryan Hewitt; Label: Lockeland Springs/Atlantic Records
– Cool and rootsy, with a deep-twang guitar and an echo on the chorus vocals. Kinda downbeat and doom-y, but undeniably compelling. This social-media star also has a duet out now with Avery Anna titled “Indigo.”

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN / “Whiskey Does”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Derek Campbell/John Frank/Tom Pino; Producers: David Mescon, Tom Pino; Label: River House Artists
– A choppy groove, unison singing and a stinging electric guitar are the hallmarks of this bare-bones production. The twin-brother duo will drop its debut album, the 16-track Rhinestone Revolution, on June 6.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Carter Faith Rules Disc Of The Day

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Carter Faith. Photo: Bree Fish

It is a week of surprises in DISClaimer.

Who knew that Brett Young could deliver a tempo tune so handily? What a pleasure to hear Post Malone and Morgan Wallen singing so gently and melodically. Pop diva Lana Del Ray checks in with a swoon-y, Nashville-tinged ballad.

The biggest surprise is this. In a star-studded column featuring Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum and Martina McBride, as well as Wallen, Malone and Young, it’s a baby act who goes home with this week’s Disc of the Day award. You ruled the listening session, Carter Faith

The DISCovery Award goes to Chase McDaniel. I can’t wait to hear what else he has up his sleeve.

CHASE McDANIEL / “Burned Down Heaven”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Jon Nite/Lindsay Rimes; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Big Machine Records
– This is a stunning disc debut. McDaniel lays it all on the line with this pillar-of-fire performance. His heartache-on-steroids delivery ranges from an intimate, beautifully phrased baritone in the verses to an anguished, head-to-the-skies tenor shout in the choruses. A monumental musical moment.

BLAKE SHELTON / “Stay Country or Die Tryin”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Drew Parker/Graham Barham/Sam Ellis; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– The proud-to-be-country imagery is fairly routine, but Shelton’s charismatic delivery of the lyric makes it sound mighty and profound. That’s the hallmark of a star.

THE BAND LOULA / “Running Off the Angels”
Writers: Logan Simmons/Malachi Mills/Peytan Porter; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Bluesy, swampy and cool, this conjures a spell with its mysterious, haunting, Biblical images of damnation and redemption. Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons are a male-female duo whose vocal harmonies are stitched up tight. Highly engaging.

MORGAN WALLEN & POST MALONE / “I Ain’t Comin’ Back”
Writers: Austin Post/Charlie Handsome/Ernest Keith Smith/Louis Bell/Michael Hardy/Morgan Wallen; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Surprisingly jaunty and breezy. Both men sing splendidly as the track wooshes along. Best line: “There’s a lot of reasons I ain’t Jesus/But the main one is that I ain’t comin’ back.”

HANNAH ELLIS & MARTINA McBRIDE / “All the Women I Am”
Writers: Ava Suppelsa/Eric Arjes/Hannah Ellis/Nick Wayne; Producer: Jason Massey; Label: Curb Records
– On this delightful bopper, Ellis offers a female-country tribute to Reba, Faith and her vocal guest Martina. “If you’re gonna love me, you gotta love them,” because her musical sisters forged her character.

BRETT YOUNG / “Drink With You”
Writers: Brett Young/Emily Weisband/Jesse Frasure/Tony Lucca; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– In this toe-tapper, he realizes he can’t drink with her because she’s way too tempting. Meeting in the bar will only mean he’ll wake up next to her the morning after. A dandy little disc.

JENNA PAULETTE / “The Dirt”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Jenna Paulette/Will Bundy; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Leo33
– Totally country. She’s in this for the long haul: Her love will last until she’s pushing up daisies. Her strong delivery is supported by a chugging track with ringing guitars and punchy percussion. This artist has been putting out quality country sounds all along, and this single is her finest yet.

JOHN MORGAN & JASON ALDEAN / “Friends Like That”
Writers: Brent Anderson/John Morgan/Lydia Vaughan/Will Bundy; Producers: Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy; Label: Broken Bow Records
– He doesn’t miss her a bit, because he has his buddies Willie and Jack alongside him by the fire, blowin’ smoke and sippin’ whiskey with Waylon turned up on the stereo. Sprightly and super catchy. Hit bound.

ADAM DOLEAC & THOMAS RHETT / “Bar Named Jesus”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Chris LaCorte/Josh Jenkins; Producers: Adam Doleac, Chris LaCorte; Label: Mommy and Daddy’s Money
– This song is about redemption. No matter how far down you have fallen, there is mercy and forgiveness. The quiet, acoustic opening passages are followed by an echoey, epic production that lifts and inspires. Well done.

DONNA FARGO / “You Can Count on Me”
Writer: Yvonne Silver; Producer: Stan Silver; Label: Primadonna Records
– Upbeat and utterly positive, somewhat in the bopping manner of her 1974 hit ‘You Can’t Be a Beacon.” It has been 53 years since Fargo lit up the country world with “Funny Face” and “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,” and she still sounds terrific.

PARKER McCOLLUM / “Hope That I’m Enough”
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Matt Jenkins/Parker McCollum; Producers: Eric Masse, Frank Liddell; Label: MCA Nashville
– Yearning and plaintive, nicely embellished with steel, organ, acoustic strings, twanged tremelo electric guitar and brushed drumming. Gently persuasive.

CARTER FAITH / “Grudge”
Writers: Carter Faith/Steph Jones/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: UMG Nashville
– Witty and delightfully bitchy toward a back-stabbing former friend. The uptempo romp has a cute phrase around every corner. She needs to somebody to hold her beer, but she sure can hold one hell of a grudge.

LANA DEL RAY / “Henry, Come On”
Writers: Lana Del Rey/Luke Laird; Producers: Drew Erickson, Lana Del Rey, Luke Laird; Label: Polydor Records
– I realize she’s not a country act, but I just had to hear what this pop queen has been up to with Nashville’s Luke Laird. It’s a very pretty, melancholy, echo-swathed ballad with a full orchestral string section and piano accompaniment. Dreamy sounding.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brothers Osborne ‘RAWK’ Disc Of The Day

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Brothers Osborne. Photo: Natalie Osborne

DISClaimer is rocking this week.

Putting on their dancing shoes are Ashland Craft, Don Louis, Ernest with Snoop Dogg, The Bellamy Brothers with The Isaacs and DISCovery Award winner Preston Cooper.

Best of all is the rocker by Brothers Osborne, which rolls along with the Disc of the Day award.

LUKAS NELSON / “Ain’t Done”
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Lukas Nelson; Producer: Shooter Jennings; Label: 6 Ace Records/Sony Music Nashville
– This has a very cool, rootsy sound, a blend of shambling percussion, sawing fiddle, acoustic piano and steel guitar. Nelson sings strongly, driving the quasi-spiritual message of perseverance, faith and enduring wonder. This artist grows more powerful with each release.

JON PARDI / “She Drives Away”
Writers: Jimi Bell/Jordan Minton/Seth Ennis/Zach Abend; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Dad watches his daughter go off on a date and get married, thinking back to when he brought her home as a newborn. Gently touching.

ASHLAND CRAFT / “Lie a Little”
Writers: Bryan Simpson/Kelly Archer/Mark Irwin; Producers: Ashland Craft, Lee Starr, Jess Grommet; Label: Leo33
– Slinky, bluesy, gritty and sassy, this twang fest rolls with a steady groove. She has a soulful nonchalance that seethes with charisma. I bet she’s a blast in performance.

BROTHERS OSBORNE / “Finish This Drink”
Writers: Alysa Vanderheym/TJ Osborne; Producers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne; Label: EMI Music Nashville
– This RAWKS. Lightning-bolt lead guitar and flamethrower fiddle electrify the instrumental passages. TJ’s tongue-in-cheek drawl spits a potent, rollicking, frothing tune of a wayward honky tonker while John’s audio stew heats up to boiling.

SCOOT TEASLEY / “Dirt Road Dropout”
Writers: Brett Truitt/Kelly Archer/Scoot Teasley; Producer: Brett Truitt; Label: Amigo Records
– This newcomer is one of my favorites among the 2024 group of Black country stylists. Teasley’s youthful sound is hale and hearty on this upbeat ode to his rural roots. Well worth your spins.

DYLAN SCOTT / “I Hate Whiskey”
Writers: Geoff Warburton/Jaxson Free/Jon Kraft/Michael Ray/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Jacob Durrett; Label: Curb Records
– The reason he hates hard liquor is that it burns, but it doesn’t burn away her memory. A clever twist on a honky-tonk trope, delivered by a solid country hit maker. I also like the soft, spoken-word interjections in the percussive production. Scott always delivers the goods.

DON LOUIS / “She Ain’t Crazy Yet”
Writers: Autumn Buysse/Danielle Blakey/Don Louis; Producer: Kipp Williams; Label: Empire
– A steady, thumping percussion track underscores a splendid vocal performance that shifts between baritone growls and yearning tenor hooks. Louis has been batting a thousand with every release, and this lively tempo tune sounds like a star maker.

DAN SEALS / “Steal a Little Thunder”
Writers: Brian Whitcomb/James Seals; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Label: Melody Place
– The late Dan Seals left behind some unissued music when he passed away from lymphoma in 2009. The creator of more than a dozen major country hits began his career as “yacht rock” performer England Dan. This tune recalls that pop heritage, which is not surprising since it was co-written by his late brother Jim of the pop duo Seals & Crofts. I’m a fan, no matter what style he’s performing.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “American Boy”
Writers: Alex Kline/Joybeth Taylor/Karley Scott Collins; Producers: Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Sultry and sensuous. Collins has such a gripping voice that she doesn’t know how to deliver anything less than a masterful performance. Here’s she’s simmering with desire as she contemplates her bad-boy crush. Everything she has released has been terrific. What does this woman have to do to get your attention?

THE BELLAMY BROTHERS & THE ISAACS / “Normal Ain’t Comin’ Back”
Writer: David Bellamy; Producers: Randy Hiebert, The Bellamy Brothers; Label: Bellamy Brothers Records
– It’s a honky-tonk toe tapper with a jaunty tune and a witty lyric that tackles politics, the pandemic, the economy and more. “Normal ain’t coming back, but Jesus is,” they all sing in a waving prairie of vocal harmony. The Bellamys reality TV series Honky Tonk Ranch is now airing on the American Country Network (on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings). Their Old Hippie Stash brand of medical marijuana includes the blends Reggae Cowboy, Big Love, Afterglow, Rattler, Blue Rodeo and Bird Dog.

TIM O’BRIEN & JAN FABRICUS / “Lonesome Armadillo”
Writers: Jan Fabricius/Tim O’Brien/Tom Paxton; Producer: Tim O’Brien; Label: Howdy Skies Music
– Tim’s yodeled lead vocal is the focus of this folkie, acoustic bopper. The armadillo tries to make it in Music City, but strikes out because he hates hot chicken, can’t buy records at Ernest Tubb’s, doesn’t own a Manuel jacket and rejects the winter climate. The song, as well as most of the duo’s Paper Flowers album, is cowritten with folk legend Tom Paxton, who is now 87. Two-time Grammy winner and West Virginia Music Hall of Fame member O’Brien is also the subject of the recent biographical book, Traveler. He plays the Station Inn next Wednesday (April 16).

ERNEST & SNOOP DOGG / “Gettin’ Gone”
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr./Ernest Keith Smith/Mark Holman/Rhett Akins; Producer: Jacob Durrett; Label: DeVille Records/Big Loud Records
– Rockabilly meets hip-hop in this merry, rollicking invitation to get stoned.

PRESTON COOPER / “One for the Road”
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Preston Cooper; Producer: Brett Warren; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Dirty rock guitar work, pile-driving rhythm and a fiery, snarling lead vocal characterize this barn burner. Cooper’s debut album, Toledo Talkin, drops next month.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson & Carín León Team For Disc Of The Day

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Today, we visit with old friends in DISClaimer.

Jeannie Seely, Tracy Byrd, Billy Ray Cyrus and Trace Adkins all dropped by with new sounds. Brett Eldredge and Chris Young are entering new phases of their careers.

Vying for the Disc of the Day prize are Eldredge, Old Dominion and our winner, the bi-lingual Cody Johnson & Carín León duet.

Taking home a DISCovery Award is Caroline Jones.

ALEX MILLER & TRACY BYRD / “The Byrd”
Writers: Alex Miller/Jerry Salley; Producer: Jerry Salley; Label: Billy Jam Records
– A boatload of fun. Dropping Byrd’s hit titles into the lyric of this rockabilly romp was a good place to start. A zippy production and pluperfect honky tonk vocals from both men are dandy additions. Loved it.

BRETT ELDREDGE / “Lonestar Lovers”
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Heather Morgan/Jon Green/Jordan Lehning; Producer: Jon Green; Label: Warm and Cozy Records
– Awesome. His voice has never sounded more lustrous, romantic and heartfelt. With synth strings soaring above him, Eldredge takes total mastery of this superb love ballad. I’ve always been a fan, and this just makes me even fonder of him. An artist at the peak of his powers.

ASHLEY COOKE / “The F Word”
Writers: Emily Weisband/Lori McKenna/Gordie Sampson; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Big Loud Records
– Nominated as New Female Artist of the Year by the ACM, Cooke warbles this cute ditty like a songbird. The lilting ballad shifts between airy soprano sighing, whispered intimacy, honeyed romance and open-throated devotion. Highly listenable.

OLD DOMINION / “Me Most Nights”
Writers: Brad Tursi/Matthew Ramsey/Ross Copperman/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Audio brilliance, as usual. The interplay between the guitars, the voices and the beats is just delicious. This ensemble just might be the most talented band in country music.

BOOMTOWN SAINTS / “This Side of the Dirt”
Writers: Adrienne Follese/Ben Chism/Chris Ramos/Keith Follese; Producers: Gary Kraen, Noah Gordon; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
– Stirring and uplifting. In this power ballad, they sing of living life to the fullest and cherishing adventure as we make our way through our time on earth. Ramos and Chism have carved out a special niche as one of our stellar indie duos. Keep singing, fellas—you’re coming in loud and clear.

CHRIS YOUNG / “Til the Last One Dies”
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Jordan Walker/Seth Mosley; Producers: Andy Sheridan, Chris Young; Label: Black River Entertainment
– He’s really, really good at this romance-music stuff. His baritone is so warm and inviting, it’s impossible to resist.

JEANNIE SEELY & MADELINE EDWARDS / “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)”
Writers: Jeannie Seely/Judith Arbuckle/Pat Sheeran/Randy Newman; Producers: Madeline Edwards, Rob McNelley; Label: Sony Music Publishing
– This is one sultry dose of ‘60s southern soul. This was Seely’s first success as a songwriter when Irma Thomas introduced it in 1964. The tune has since been recorded by Seal, Ruby Amanfu, Boyz II Men, The Ballroom Thieves and several others. Edwards and Seely bring it back in a languid, steamy duet arrangement. It’s part of a Women’s History Month initiative by Sony Publishing that re-imagines Seely’s songs for a new generation.

CODY JOHNSON & CARÍN LEÓN / “She Hurts Like Tequila”
Writers: Cody Johnson/Johan Sotelo/Orlando Aispuro Meneses/Oscar Armando Diaz de Leon Huez/Trent Willmon; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
– Cojo embraces his Lone Star State’s Hispanic heritage with this sublimely country waltz that blends Mexicali guitar, accordion and steel guitar. Latin superstar Carín León alternates with Spanish verses. A bi-lingual triumph. In a word, gracias.

CAROLINE JONES / “No Tellin’”
Writers: Caroline Jones/Clara Park/Lauren McLamb; Producers: Caroline Jones, Julian Raymond, Ric Wake; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– Jones steps out from her membership in the Zac Brown Band with this snappy, bluegrassy stomper that rocks from start to finish. She’s vowing to spill the beans on her no-good ex so that he can’t hurt the next gal who falls for him. Tempo pleasure.

TRACE ADKINS / “That Someday”
Writers: Casey Beathard/Trace Adkins; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Verge Records Nashville
– You can hear this dark revenge ballad during the closing credits of the new action film Day of Reckoning in which Adkins appears. Dramatic and doomy.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Southern Man”
Writers: Bear Rinehart/Kashus Culpepper; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
– The slippery slide guitar work of Marcus King sizzles throughout this single. Culpepper’s Alabama-proud vocal struts his stuff while King answers every chorus instrumentally. Southern rock lives, but I liked Culpepper better when he was honky-tonkin.’

BILLY RAY CYRUS / “Ask”
Writers: Ben Burgess/Billy Ray Cyrus/Brandon Manley/Yung Lan; Producers: Brandon Manley, Eric Hurt, Yung Lan; Label: Roam Man Productions
– Eerie sounding. Cyrus speaks the lines in a dusty, deep baritone while guitars doodle in an echo chamber and a soprano wordlessly ooh’s off in the distance. Weird and strange.

MADDIE & TAE / “Drunk Girls in Bathrooms”
Writers: Jamie Moore/Maddie Font/Ryan Beaver/Taylor Kerr; Producer: Josh Kerr; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Now here’s a topic you don’t find addressed in songs every day. In this one, the Women’s Room is a merry place where ladies share confidences, makeup and love. They pick you up when you’re down and hold your hair when you puke. Best of all, this is all sung with a saucy, ultra-fun, joyful, upbeat production. A single with a built-in smile.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Morgan Wallen Nabs The Disc Of The Day

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: Spidey Smith

It’s pretty much wall-to-wall stars in this week’s DISClaimer.

There’s essential listening here from Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Jordan Davis and Lauren Alaina. Not to mention Best New Artist Grammy winner Chappell Roan.

Leading the pack is Morgan Wallen with the Disc of the Day.

For our DISCovery Award, we head north of the border to find indigenous music maker Uncle Trent.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Yard Sale”
Writers: David Garcia/Jessie Jo Dillon/Laura Veltz/Priscilla Block; Producers: David Garcia, Jesse Frasure; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Wonderfully fun. She’s kicking up her heels in this merry revenge ditty. Getting rid of all his stuff at a yard sale with thumpy beats and a girlfriend chorus surrounding her fiesty vocal. Definitely play this romper.

JELLY ROLL / “Heart of Stone”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Jason DeFord/Shy Carter/Zach Crowell; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: BBR Music Group
– So far, the man has seven consecutive No. 1 singles, plus two more. I see no reason why this momentum shouldn’t continue. This time, Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) is praying to the Lord for deliverance and redemption in a lushly, produced country rocker that rolls into a high, wailing chorus at the top of his tenor range.

CHARLEY CROCKETT / “Jamestown Ferry”
Writer: Willard Mack Vickery; Producers: Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings; Label: Island Records
– Crockett’s just-released Lonesome Drifter album includes this revival of Tanya Tucker’s 1973 hit. His outlaw-beat “Game I Can’t Win” and “Night Rider” have already spawned music videos from the collection. Acclaim for the record has Crockett on a roll. Next month, he tapes Austin City Limits. Tonight, watch for him to debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

ERIC CHURCH / “Hands of Time”
Writers: Eric Church/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Music Nashville
– We can’t do anything about getting older, but Church avers that music keeps you young. I’ll tell you one thing, music by this man, especially, will warm your blood and pump a life force into ya. The brilliant Jay Joyce track rocks splendidly, and Church’s genius as a writer and performer have seldom shined brighter. A shouted “Amen!” from this aging hippie.

TIMOTHY WAYNE / “That’d Be You”
Writers: Jamie Moore/Mark Collie/Timothy Wayne; Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: UMG Nashville
– A swaying, lilting love song surrounded by crisp production featuring deft guitar-string plucking. Sweetly tender and romantic.

CHAPPELL ROAN / “The Giver”
Writers: Daniel Nigro/Kayleigh Rose Amstutz/Paul Cartwright; Producer: Daniel Nigro; Label: Island Records
– Pop’s current “It” girl goes country with this fiddle-laced, rhythm-happy ditty. She debuted it on Saturday Night Live last year, and it’s already a smash. “I ain’t no country-boy quitter, I get the job done.”

LORRIE MORGAN & TRACY LAWRENCE / “After the Fire Is Gone”
Writer: L.E White; Producers: Chip Voorhis, Wally Wilson; Label: Cleopatra Records
– You absolutely cannot go wrong with this honky-tonk classic. Previously a smash for Conway & Loretta (1971, a Grammy winner) and for Willie with Tracy Nelson (1977), it is an essential part of the hillbilly-duet repertoire. Rest assured that these two sublime country stylists do it proud.

MORGAN WALLEN / “I’m a Little Crazy”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Jameson Rodgers/Michael Hardy/Smith Ahnquist; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/ Mercury Records
– I got totally into this. Wallen unspools the thoughtful lyric in plain-spoken, unfussy fashion while acoustic guitar notes ripple around him. He sings, “I’m a little crazy, but the world’s insane.” I believe we can all relate to that. Wallen showcases tunes from his upcoming I’m the Problem album this weekend as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on March 29.

UNCLE TRENT & ASHLEY GHOSTKEEPER / “You’re the Reason”
Writer: James Agecoutay; Producer: Trent Agecoutay; Label: Thicker Than Blood Music
– Canada has a large indigenous population. So much so, that there is a native-American music scene with its own awards and organizations. Trent Agecoutay (Uncle Trent) and Ashley Ghostkeeper are both members of western tribes, and both are stars in their field. They take this love ballad slowly, with plaintive, yearning vocals.

THOMAS RHETT & LANIE GARDNER / “What Could Go Right”
Writers: John Byron/Josh Kerr/Rocky Block/Thomas Rhett; Producers: Dann Huff, Josh Kerr, Julian Bunetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– We live in hope. These two are headed for a hookup, thinking about the possibility of lasting love and throwing caution to the winds. A swirling, rocking production bolsters their harmonized optimism at every turn. The excitement is stirred with more and more vigor as the rushing track proceeds. A splendid single.

AVERY ANNA / “Wish You Well”
Writers: Avery Anna/David Fanning/Jon Hume; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– She’s leaving a super turbulent relationship. The twinkling, upbeat track disguises the abuse she suffered as she sings of forgiveness and moving on. An audio delight.

JORDAN DAVIS / “Bar None”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/Lydia Vaughan; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– This man never disappoints. This strummy outing churns right along as he gets totally wasted trying to erase her memory. He knows he’s going to wind up with a hangover, but chugs away anyhow. His warm, conversational, country-folk delivery gets me every time.

LAUREN ALAINA / “Household”
Writers: Casey Brown/Lauren Alaina/Lydia Vaughan/Parker Welling; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Love the cool, twangy touches in the production. The minor-key tune has nifty twists and turns, and her drawling vocal delivers the doom lyric with panache. Catchy and crafty.