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.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dierks Bentley & Stephen Wilson Jr. Team Up For Disc Of The Day

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Dierks Bentley & Stephen Wilson Jr. Photo: Houston Cofield

There’s some definite stretching of country music’s boundaries today in DISClaimer.

Proven country winner Don Louis is pushing in an R&B direction. Madeline Edwards & DJ Logan Garrett are taking country music onto the EDM dancefloor. Willie Jones continues to agitate for some kind of hip-hop fusion sound. Americana favorite Valerie June takes a simple country ditty and dresses it up in her kookie, delightful sonic weirdness.

Despite competition from Blake Shelton, Warren Zeiders, Caylee Hammack and Mitchell Tenpenny, Dierks Bentley & Stephen Wilson Jr. emerge holding aloft the Disc of the Day prize thanks to their “Cold Beer Can.”

Stephen Wilson Jr. had a big week. He also had credits in this stack with his oldie revival of “Stand By Me” and his songwriting collaborations on the Caylee and Dierks tracks. Is it any wonder that he claims a DISCovery Award?

STEPHEN WILSON JR. / “Stand By Me”
Writers: Ben E. King/Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller; Producers: Adam Blank, Ben West; Label: Big Loud Records
– This beloved oldie was immortalized by Ben E. King in 1961 and has been performed by many others since. This dark-voiced, dramatic, bluesy fan-favorite performer offers a soulful, gripping, ear catching revival that compels you to hear it in a brand-new way. Recorded live with just plucked acoustic-guitar accompaniment, the performance shows you why this guy has 20 million social views and a sold-out string of tour dates this year.

KASSI ASHTON & PARKER McCOLLUM / “Sounds Like Something I’d Say”
Writers: Barry Dean/Jon Randall/Kassi Ashton; Producers: Kassi Ashton, Luke Laird; Label: MCA Nashville
– This is a drowsy, morning-after ballad of fuzzy memories and a dreamy hook-up. Ashton’s bruised alto brushes up against McCollum’s dusky drawl nicely.

DON LOUIS / “Look What You Made Me Do”
Writers: David Ray Stevens/Don Louis/Kipp Williams; Producer: Kipp Williams; Label: Money Myers Entertainment/EMPIRE
– His cool baritone voice has previously proven itself as an able honky-tonk instrument. On this sultry, mid-tempo, hooky toe tapper, Louis stirs a big helping of R&B into his audio stew. It’s terrifically catchy, although not all that “country” sounding.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Relapse”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Justin Ebach/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Mike Elizondo; Label: Warner Records
– Zeiders rocks out on this summertime jam. The “relapse” he’s talking about isn’t about substance abuse. It’s about re-living a faded romance and wanting it back. As always, he brings earnest passion to the performance.

CROWE BOYS / “Bootstraps”
Writer: Ocie Crowe; Producer: Andrew Campanelli; Label: UMG Nashville
– These New Orleans brothers have an acoustic-based, strummy, folkie style that is utterly captivating. Snappy percussion slaps around a rousing, tuneful, sing-along track. The duo (Wes and Ocie Crowe) is graduating from indie, grassroots success with “Where Did I Go Wrong” to this major-label leap of faith.

BLAKE SHELTON / “Let Him In Anyway”
Writers: Carson Wallace/Kyle Clark/Michael Hardy/Zach Abend; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– Still one of our finest country singers, Shelton brings some strong emotion to this ballad. He mourns the death of his best buddy and begs God to open Heaven’s doors. A tasteful, piano-based production frames his plea perfectly.

CAYLEE HAMMACK / “No I Ain’t”
Writers: Caylee Hammack/Mark Trussell/Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Capitol Nashville
– I’m always eager to hear anything this gifted lady does. She never disappoints. This time out, she’s resisting the invitations of a heartless beau who uses her but doesn’t love her. The lilting track and steady, subtle percussion carry along her intimate, pained delivery. I remain a massive fan.

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Same Moon”
Writers: Dallas Wilson/Derrick Southerland/Mitchell Tenpenny/Paul DiGiovanni; Producers: Jordan Schmidt, Mitchell Tenpenny; Label: Riser House Entertainment/Columbia Nashville
– Smooth rolling pleasure. The terrific track drops dollops of chiming guitar, thumpy percussion, piano chords and a gorgeous echoey atmosphere into a gently swirling pool of sound. Amidst it all is Tenpenny’s soft, romantic tenor vocal. This is one  enchanting little record.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Picture Perfect”
Writers: Dallas Davidson/Dylan Marlowe/Joe Fox/Seth Ennis; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Dreaming of life together and of becoming successful down the road with a house, kids, land and years of memories. Sweetly sung.

DIERKS BENTLEY & STEPHEN WILSON JR. / “Cold Beer Can”
Writers: Dierks Bentley/Jon Randall/Luke Dick/Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producers: Mary Hilliard Harrington, Jon Randall, Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Wilson’s bluesy drawl and strong guitar work strongly color this duet performance. It salutes blue-collar friendship, family ties, romantic events, brotherhood and life’s best moments. “Money can’t buy what a cold beer can,” they sing. Amen, bro’s. Sing on.

VALERIE JUNE / “Sweet Things Just for You”
Writer: Valerie June Hockett; Producer: M. Ward; Label: Concord Records
– This wonderfully unclassifiable stylist is jaunty, light-hearted and innocent sounding on this simple country love ditty. Ticklish-sounding acoustic guitar, childlike backing vocals and a double-tracked lead vocal that is not quite in sync add up to a quirky listening experience. There is something kinda joyful about her.

WILLIE JONES / “Silverado”
Writers: Brandon Day/Rufio Hooks/Willie Jones; Producer: Willie Jones; Label: Gravel Road
– Jones debuts on a new label with a good-time hip-hop banger with tiny flecks of actual instruments mixed in with the electronic beats. The minimalist lyric is repeated unceasingly. Beyond the reference to a truck, I fail to hear what is “country” about this.

DJ LOGAN GARRETT & MADELINE EDWARDS / “Take Me Down”
Writers: Kyle Featherstone/Logan Garrett/Madeline Edwards; Producers: Kyle Featherstone, Logan Garrett; Label: Background Energy
– Nashville native DJ Logan Garrett creates what he calls “country house” music. Teaming up ace vocalist Madeline Edwards he has a dance-addict’s dream in this rampaging bundle of beats. She says, “If this isn’t on the top of every hot girl’s Peloton playlist, I will rage.” Garrett was previously noted for his “I Had Some Help” Morgan Wallen remix.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Mickey Guyton Delivers A ‘Stunning Listening Experience’

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Mickey Guyton

This sure sounds like a good weekend for music.

Four of our DISClaimer candidates are performing in Music City over the next several days—Russell Dickerson, Onoleigh, Jet Black Roses and Gary Nicholson. I recommend them all.

This is also a good week for solid, meat-and-potatoes country music. I refer you to the new sounds from Zach Top & Billy Strings, Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Willie Nelson & Rodney Crowell, William Beckmann and Tucker Wetmore. This makes my heart feel so good.

William Beckmann, by the way, is our DisCovery Award winner.

The Disc of the Day is claimed by the spectacular vocal delivery of Mickey Guyton.

TUCKER WETMORE / “3, 2, 1”
Writers: Jordan Reynolds/Josh Miller/Summer Overstreet; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: EMI Nashville/Back Blocks Music
– Twangin’ dobro, thumping propulsion, joyous mood, cool country singer… What’s not to love? Wetmore drops his debut album next month. Based on what I’ve heard so far, it’s bound to be a winner.

MICKEY GUYTON / “You Don’t Know Me at All”
Writer: Dave Jordan; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Guyton drew a standing ovation for her performance of this power ballad on Monday’s Ringo & Friends at the Ryman TV special. As a single, it’s a stunning listening experience, with goosebumps popping up all over when she rolls into that chorus. This lady can SING. Listen and believe.

GARY NICHOLSON / “What a Little Love Can Do”
Writers: Gary Nicholson/Stephen Bruton; Producers: Gary Nicholson, Kevin McKendree; Label: Qualified Records
– This Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is also a performer of warmth and personality. You’ll hear it for yourself on this jangly country rocker. It’s the lead-off track of his groovy album Common Sense. Nicholson will be celebrating it with his pals on Saturday evening (March 15) at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge. Showtime is 9:00 p.m.

WILLIE NELSON & RODNEY CROWELL / “Oh What a Beautiful World”
Writer: Rodney Crowell; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Label: Legacy Recordings
– Pure poetry, to the accompaniment of sighing harmonica, rippling guitars and a gently rolling rhythm. This is the title tune of an album devoted to Crowell’s songs that Willie will issue as his 154th collection. It’s due next month, but while you wait, immerse yourself in this dreamy, bittersweet meditation on the passage of time. A lovely, lovely record.

BRAD PAISLEY & DAWES / “Raining Inside”
Writers: Brad Paisley/Lee Thomas Miller/Taylor Goldsmith; Producers: Brad Paisley, Luke Wooten; Label: EMI Nashville
– The country star and the rock band create a stately bluesy mood on this downbeat ballad. Stay tuned for the guitar fireworks at the finale.

TIM McGRAW & PARKER McCOLLUM / “Paper Umbrellas”
Writers: Drake Milligan/Monty Criswell; Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: Big Machine Records
– Advice and barroom sympathy from one broken heart to another. The rolling track is terrific, and the well-crafted lyric is even better. Absolutely play this.

RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Happen to Me”
Writers: Chase McGill/Christopher LaCorte/Jessie Jo Dillon/Robert Hazard/Russell Dickerson; Producers: Chris LaCorte, Josh Kerr, Russell Dickerson; Label: Triple Tigers
– Tap your foot. This one’s a good-time banger with energy that doesn’t let up. Perfect for a springtime playlist. Born showman Dickerson plays at the new venue The Pinnacle tomorrow evening (March 14).

DOLLY PARTON / “If You Hadn’t Been There”
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producers: Gregg Perry, Kent Wells; Label: Butterfly Records
– Our hearts are heavy for our beloved Dolly, who has lost her life’s companion. She pours her heart out in this tender eulogy for Carl. I choked up. There is love behind every tear-stained note of this performance.

ONOLEIGH / “Bottomless Tears”
Writers: Ally Sou/Emile Ghantous/Josh Goode/Onoleigh Pommier/Sam SZND; Producer: Emile Ghantous; Label: Onoleigh
– Raising a glass to a busted love affair. She sings this with remarkable force and confidence, crushing the message with clarity and emotional directness. She sounds like a total pro. The lady performs this evening (March 13) at 6:00 p.m. at The Analog. It’s a release party for her EP First Rodeo. I am told that she puts on a great show.

ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION / “Granite Mills”
Writer: Timothy Eriksen; Producer: Alison Krauss & Union Station; Label: Down The Road Records
– Esteemed bluegrass star Russell Moore has joined Union Station, and he takes the gripping lead vocal on this tragic, factory-fire story saga. This is a traditional tune, based on the 1874 burning of a textile mill in New York State. Heart and soul in every note of this thrilling tenor’s singing. This will be on the group’s comeback album, Arcadia, which drops on March 28.

WILLIAM BECKMANN / “Honky Tonk Blue”
Writers: Chris Stapleton/William Brice Long; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– The title says it all. Magnificently country. This is the real stuff, folks. Can I get a loud, “Amen!”

ZACH TOP & BILLY STRINGS / “Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown”
Writers: Ray Pennington/Roy Eugene Marcum; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: Leo33
– Hillbilly nirvana. These two one-up each other in awesome honky-tonk vocal slides and dazzling guitar-string tickling as they navigate this Stanley Brothers bluegrass classic made famous by Ricky Skaggs in 1984. Music to warm your country heart.

JET BLACK ROSES / “Psychoboogie Hoochiecoo”
Writers: none listed; Producer: Greg Archilla; Label: JBR
– Funky, horn-punctuated Southern rock with some built-in grease. Other tracks show that the group is equally at home in country settings. This outfit will be jamming at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row on Lower Broadway tonight (March 13) at 8:00 p.m.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Carly Pearce Is ‘Country Music Eloquence’

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Carly Pearce. Photo: Allister Ann

Tomorrow, March 7, is International Women’s Day, and DISClaimer salutes that with an all-female playlist today.

Leading the charge is Disc of the Day winner Carly Pearce. Her excellent “No Rain” is joined by first-class new music from Dasha, Tigirlily Gold and Sarah Borges.

Newcomer Caroline Owens wins this week’s Disc of the Day award. She’s so promising that the current issue of Bluegrass Unlimited devoted a feature story to her before she’d released any music.

FIMONE / “Woman”
Writer: Janelle Faiman; Producer: Greg Magers; Label: Fimone
– This feminist anthem features her drawling, bluesy voice accompanied solely by her snarling electric guitar. The lyric demands equal rights, addressing bodily autonomy, pay parity and an end to systemic oppression. In other words, “r.e.s.p.e.c.t.” Kinda preachy but kinda cool, too.

CARLY PEARCE / “No Rain”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Emily Weisband/Jordan Reynolds/Lauren Hungate; Producers: Carly Pearce, Dave Clauss; Label: Big Machine Records
– When you’re going through hardship, remember that without rain, there are no flowers. Pearce’s vocal is beautifully phrased, and the strings-and-guitar accompaniment is simply poetic. Country music eloquence.

CARTER FAITH / “If I Had Never Lost My Mind”
Writers: Carter Faith/Jen Stegall/Lauren Hungate/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: UMG Nashville
– Her plaintive soprano vocal covers an impressive range, up into falsetto acrobatics, as she wends her way through this heartache power ballad. An oomphy production adds to the dynamics. Impressive.

SIERRA HULL / “Spitfire”
Writer: Sierra Hull; Producer: Sierra Hull; Label: SH
– Singer, songwriter and mandolin virtuoso Sierra Hull gives this story song a wafting lilt. The ballad’s lyric is about her strong and resilient grandmother. Her performance of it is surrounded by a silky cushion of acoustic sound, anchored by her own deft guitar playing. Hull is booked to perform tomorrow night (March 7) at Brooklyn Bowl.

TIGIRLILY GOLD / “Forever From Here”
Writers: Kendra Slaubaugh/Krista Slaubaugh/Pete Good/Shane McAnally; Producer: Pete Good; Label: Monument Records
– She has a vision of their future together, as in, “I can see forever from here.” The rippling, sparkly track is full of energy and sunshine. So is the harmony-soaked duet performance. This effervescent single is their finest to date.

MADDIE & TAE / “Kissing Cowboys”
Writers: Laura Veltz/Luke Dick/Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr; Producer: Josh Kerr; Label: Mercury Nashville
– The duo bops though this rollicking, good-time tune with joyous moxie to spare. I bet this one is a blast in concert.

CAROLINE OWENS / “You’ve Still Got It”
Writers: Jerry Salley/John Pennell; Producers: Darin Aldridge, Jerry Salley; Label: Billy Blue
– She sings this lovely ode to addictive romance in a sky-high mountain soprano. This works super well when the male harmony vocals are stacked beneath it. Dazzling mandolin picking and sighing fiddle add to the magic. Bluegrass on the wing in full flight.

DASHA / “Not at This Party”
Writers: Anna Dasha Novotny/Ashley Gorley/Ben Johnson; Producers: Ben Johnson, Johnny Reno; Label: Warner Records
– To state the obvious right away: This is brain meltingly catchy, ridiculously lovable and a rhythm happy carnival ride. While the beats drop around her, Dasha advises us that she’s physically at the party, but her mind is on him. Get up and dance.

HAILEY WHITTERS & MOLLY TUTTLE / “Prodigal Daughter”
Writers: Bryan Simpson/Hailey Whitters/Paul Sikes; Producer: Jake Gear; Label: Big Loud Records
– This rocks. Whitters wails righteously of her lost innocence amid a frothing, percussive track. Bluegrass star Molly Tuttle provides guitar and harmony-vocal support.

RUNAWAY JUNE / “To Be Yours”
Writers: Aaron Eshuis/Jennifer Wayne/Natalie Stovall/Ron Fair/Stevie Woodward; Producer: Ron Fair; Label: Quartz Hill Records
– Sugary sweet. The trio adopts a soft, caressing vocal tone for this lovey-dovey tune. It’s as delicious as an ice cream sundae and as lovely as a pastoral watercolor, but I like them better when they are feisty and bopping.

SARAH BORGES / “Mercy of the Moon”
Writers: Jay Godfrey/Jeremy Tepper; Producer: Eric “Roscoe” Ambel; Label: Lakeside Lounge Records
– This is a rumbling honky tonker delivered by a sturdy roadhouse alto. Twang guitars,  slamming drumming and band-member support vocals give it a pleasingly garage-y sound. The totally country song was co-written by Jeremy Tepper, the Diesel Only Records man who died too young and is much missed.

AVERY ANNA / “Mr. Predictable”
Writers: Avery Anna/Ben Williams/David Fanning; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– There is something about her voice that has me hanging on every line. This aching performance about being in love with a cheater has dramatic shifts in tone, from solo intimacy to furiously electronic roaring. Fascinating listening.

LILY ROSE / “I Know What I Want”
Writers: Andy Albert/Emily Weisband/Jaxson Free/Lily Rose/Paul DiGiovanni/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: LR
– This perennial rule breaker leans in a pop/hip-hop direction on this snappy slab of sass. The lyric is quite simple and quite repetitive.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trace Adkins ‘Can Still Deliver The Goods’

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Trace Adkins. Photo: Kristin Barlowe

Old-school country is on the menu today at DISClaimer.

Jon Pardi, Bryce Leatherwood and DISCovery Award winner Chase McDaniel set the tone of the listening session.

For the icing on this traditionalist cake, we also have a collection of proven masters of old-school country craft. Joe Nichols, Moe Bandy and Disc of the Day winner Trace Adkins are here to show the kiddies how it’s done.

BRYCE LEATHERWOOD / “Where the Bar Is”
Writers: Chase McGill/Cole Taylor/Michael Carter/Shane Minor; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: UMG Nashville
– He’s such a solid country singer, and this is a true-blue honky-tonk song. I don’t quite understand the decision to record him with a track that rocks this hard.

COLT FORD & MICHAEL RAY / “Hell Out of It”
Writers: Cole Taylor/Lalo Guzman/Michael Tyler/Thomas Archer; Producer: Dylan Maloney; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– We’re small people in a small town, but we love who we are. Rousing and sincere.

CHASE McDANIEL / “Burned Down Heaven”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Jon Nite/Lindsay Rimes; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Big Machine Records
– Excellent. The song of regret and guilt is powerfully written, and his aching, soaring vocal sells it like nobody’s business. Wonderfully listenable.

MOE BANDY / “Pure Love”
Writer: Eddie Rabbitt; Producer: Jimmy Capps; Label: StarVista
– This 1970s & 1980s hit maker has an upcoming album titled Songs I Missed. This advance single is his version of Ronnie Milsap’s 1974 chart topper. Bandy’s slightly pitch-y rendition won’t erase the memory of the original, but it is straightforward, well meaning and totally country.

RYAN HURD / “Die For It”
Writers: Mark Holman/Randy Montana/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Aaron Eshuis; Label: Big Machine Records
– The story of a marriage. Things might get rocky, but love lasts always. The jangly guitars and an octave-leap backing vocal are ear catching. But the steady-state, minimal melody goes nowhere in its endless loop.

TRACE ADKINS / “What Color’s Your Wild”
Writers: Casey Beathard/Monty Criswell; Producer: Bart Butler; Label: Verge
– The big man can still deliver the goods. And how. This stomper is loaded with charisma, and the color-coded lyric about pursuing passion is terrific. I hung on every note. Essential audio.

SAM WILLIAMS / “Countrystar”
Writers: Marisa Maino/Nick Bailey/Ryder Johnson/Sam Williams; Producer: Nick Bailey; Label: UMG Nashville
– His soft, feathery singing style doesn’t really go with the thumpy, hip-hop backing track. However, it is strikingly different.

JON PARDI / “Love the Lights Out”
Writers: Jimi Bell/Jon Pardi/Matt Dragstrem; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Let’s rock out, baby, and have a really, really big night of love making. Pardi’s vocal is, as usual, country with a capital “C.” Righteously ringing guitars do the rest of the work. Recommended.

NATE SMITH & HARDY / “Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/Jessie Jo Dillon/Michael Hardy; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Records Nashville
– Ya gotta love a title like that. Here’s the gist of the song: “From buddy to buddy, I’m telling you something you might not want to hear. That gal you’re dating is no good for you.” The lyric is rapid-fire but crystal clear as they vocalize above a choppy, grinding track. Snappy and clever.

JOE NICHOLS & ANNIE BOSKO / “Better Than You”
Writers: Derek George/John Pierce; Producers: Derek George/Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Quartz Hill Records
– I love a good country love duet, and this one is a dandy. Joe is, of course, a masterful country singer, but Annie keeps up with him. She also harmonizes splendidly. A delightful performance.

LANCE COWAN / “Love Anyway”
Writer: Lance Cowan; Producers: Jason Stelluto/Scott Paschall; Label: Lantzapalooza Müzik
– Music Row publicist Lance Cowan is also a terrific singer-songwriter. His second album, Against the Grain, drops next month. Its advance single addresses the political divisiveness that’s so pervasive today. “If there’s ever hope for change, love anyway,” he sings in his tender tenor while acoustic piano and guitar notes ripple around him. Innocent, touching and gently folkie. Cowan gigs at The Listening Room with Mark Irwin and Irene Kelley next Wednesday (March 5).

LOUIE THE SINGER / “Good Girl”
Writers: Joe Ginsberg/Luis Palacios II/Nate Kenyon; Producer: CANDY; Label: UMG Nashville
– This Mexican-American sings in this slow-burn ditty that he’s a bad boy. What’s more, he’s fine if she can’t accept that and doesn’t fall for him. So, “If you don’t want a bad boy, I’m good, girl.” His Texas drawl is backed by a twanging track that plods along.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Sabrina Carpenter & Dolly Parton Are A ‘Cotton-Candy Cloud Of Bliss’

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Sabrina Carpenter & Dolly Parton

Today is a day for collabs at DISClaimer.

Of the tracks we’re spotlighting today, fully half of them are vocal collaborations, and three of those are mash-ups between country stars and pop headliners. One of them, the smile-awhile meeting of new pop diva Sabrina Carpenter and country megastar Dolly Parton is our Disc of the Day. By the way, if the lyric seems oblique, check out Carpenter’s solo video of “Please Please Please.” Trust me, it will all make sense.

But if you’re looking for the perfect country solo performance to become an instant-add to your playlist, look no further than Dierks Bentley.

The DISCovery Award contenders are Zach John King and Austin Snell. That’s no contest at all. King walks away with the trophy.

GRAHAM BARHAM / “Oil Money”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Cole Miracle/Graham Barham/Sam Bergeson; Producers: Sam Bergeson, Will Bundy; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– He has a cool hillbilly delivery loaded with reverb. The leering lyric is weirdly ear catching (“She’s got a body like oil money,” anyone?). I could have done without the “country-trap fusion” computer rhythm track, but this thing probably has legs. One question: If she’s so classy, why is she wearing Daisy Dukes?

DIERKS BENTLEY / “She Hates Me”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chase McGill/Dierks Bentley/Jimmy Allen/Ross Copperman/Wesley Scantlin; Producers: Jon Randall, Mary Hilliard Harrington; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Wry and delightful. It rocks in a cool, spare-bones kinda way. When this guy is on his game, he can’t be beat. A smash. Also: The video is hilarious.

KAYLEY GREEN / “This Little Love of Mine”
Writers: Adam Craig/Jonathan Smith/Kayley Green; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Frisky and frolicking. She sings with immense verve, and the rockabilly track spits fire. Clap hands and dance along. You’ll be forgiven if you hear echoes of “This Little Light of Mine” in back of the church pews. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

MYLES SMITH & LAINEY WILSON / “Nice to Meet You”
Writers: Dan Smith/Myles Smith/Peter Fenn/Phil Plested; Producer: Peter Fenn; Label: RCA Records
– Strum-y, jaunty, bopping and charming. I’ve heard of quickie romances, but this takes the cake—”Nice to meet you; have a dance; spend all night together”—Just like that. Smith is a British pop singer-songwriter, best known for last year’s Platinum-selling “Stargazing.” This was originally a solo single. The addition of Wilson’s country voice definitely makes it brighter.

ASHLEY COOKE & JOE JONAS / “All I Forgot”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Charlie Puth/David Alexander/Griff Clawson/Jacob Kasher Hindin/Joe Jonas/Naliya; Producers: Charlie Puth, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Well, it turns out that alcohol can’t blot out a lover’s memory, after all. These two blend nicely on this tuneful heartbreaker. His pop croon meshes with the gentle warmth of this previous MusicRow award winner who’s a CRS New Faces Show honoree this year.

SABRINA CARPENTER & DOLLY PARTON / “Please, Please, Please”
Writers: Amy Allen/Jack Antonoff/Sabrina Carpenter; Producer: Jack Antonoff; Label: Island Records
– What a delicious audio confection. Burbling, airy, twinkling and loaded with Carpenter’s signature wit. The two wafting sopranos lift this thing into a cotton-candy cloud of bliss. Sabrina keeps falling for losers and begs this one not to embarrass her like all the others. Best line: “Don’t bring me to tears, when I just did my makeup so nice.” Totally loving this.

CAYLEE HAMMACK / “How Long”
Writers: Caylee Hammack/John Osborne/Lucie Silvas; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– I have been in love with this woman’s music forever. Her phrasing on this sultry slow jam is utterly exquisite. The dreamy, soulful track is a thing to get lost in. It’s from an album called Bed of Roses that will accompany her co-written romance novel of the same title, releasing March 7.

SCOTTY McCREERY & JASON CRABB / “Red Letter Blueprint”
Writers: Brent Anderson/Derek George/Jeremy Bussey/Monty Criswell/Scotty McCreery; Producers: Nathan Thomas, Spencer Peppard; Label: Triple Tigers
– This is a CCM song on Opry member McCreery’s current album, so it makes perfect sense to add one of Christian music’s most powerful vocalists to it. To ensure that the country singer isn’t completely overwhelmed, Crabb’s volume is turned down.

CHARLES ESTEN & SARA EVANS / “In a Bar Somewhere”
Writers: Charles Esten/Jason Gantt/Neil Medley; Producer: Marshall Altman; Label: CE
– The Nashville TV star and the established country star harmonize beautifully on this barroom ballad. This guy deserves a hit, and this melodic pleasure deserves to be it.

ZACH JOHN KING / “Cold Shoulder”
Writers: Tom Whall/Zach John King/Zarni Dewet; Producer: Ryan Wilson; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– His plaintive singing is backed by simple, plucked guitar strings. As the heartbreaking regret grows, a steel sighs in the distance. Echoey and aching.

IRA DEAN & GRETCHEN WILSON / “Everything”
Writers: Dave Turnbull/Ira Dean; Producer: Noah Gordon; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
– Ira Dean wrote this love ballad for his wife Jennifer and sang it at their wedding. The sweetly sentimental ode features Gretchen Wilson on harmony vocals. You can see the joyous wedding ceremony footage in the song’s video. John Carter Cash performed the ceremony, and Jamey Johnson serenaded the couple.

AUSTIN SNELL / “Muddy Water Rockstar”
Writers: Austin Nivarel/Austin Snell/Joe Ragosta; Producers: Andrew Baylis, Austin Nivarel; Label: River House Artists/Warner Music Nashville
– He’s screaming with profanity that he can perform a hard rock track and call it country music. You can call it whatever you want, but do we have to listen to it?

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Riley Green ‘Keeps The Sultry Mood Rolling’

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Riley Green. Photo: Matthew Simmons on behalf of Gildan

The sound of love is in the air this week.

In keeping with the Valentine’s Day holiday, the country stars are full of romance in this column. To get in the mood, lend your ears to Mackenzie Carpenter & Midland, to Thomas Rhett and to Disc of the Day winner Riley Green as well as to our DISCovery Awardee, Adrien Nunez.

For those of you on the losing side of love, I direct your attention to this week’s country heartbreakers Jordan Davis and Karley Scott Collins. Happy listening.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Jenni”
Writers: Jacob Durrett/Jordan Dozzi/Kashus Culpepper; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records
– The groove is set by cool harmonica blowing, simple percussion and full-band production. His vocal yearns for love and exudes honesty. I’m in.

THOMAS RHETT / “After All the Bars Are Closed”
Writers: Jacob Kasher Hindlin/Jaxson Free/John Byron/Julian Bunetta/Thomas Rhett; Producers: Dann Huff, Julian Bunetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– He and his honey want to stay up all night together, to the accompaniment of finger snaps and ringing guitar notes. Jaunty. Pleasant.

VALERIE JUNE / “Joy, Joy!”
Writer: Valerie June Hockett; Producer: M. Ward; Label: Concord Records
– This Americana star leans into a horn-punctuated r&b groove on the lead single from her upcoming album. Her double tracked, lilting vocal has a childlike innocence as she sings of bliss.

JORDAN DAVIS / “In Case You Missed It”
Writers: Jacob Davis/Jordan Davis/Paul DiGiovanni/Travis Wood; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– There’s something warm and endearing in his singing. The hearty tune sounds like a party, but the lyric is a heartbreaker. Loaded with folkie soul.

ADRIEN NUNEZ / “All I Ever Do”
Writers: Adrien Nunez/Cole Miracle/Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Producer: Steinza; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– The happy love song bounces along with joy in each step. His bright lead vocal is joined by a shouting, sing-along chorus on the hooky parts, and the production is admirably understated. Smooth listening.

RILEY GREEN / “Worst Way”
Writer: Riley Green; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– He has s-e-x on his mind, and he lets her know it. The feel-good, midtempo track keeps the sultry mood rolling right along. Green’s streak of chart-toppers ought to continue with this dandy outing.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Runner”
Writers: Ashley Ray/Karley Scott Collins/Sam Backoff/Zane Callister; Producers: Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Her husky drawl is gripping to the max. The ballad describes a heart so broken that it  has made her cynical about love and unwilling to trust anyone. The lyric is wonderfully poetic. This is a very cool sounding track.

CHRIS JANSON / “Stay Rowdy”
Writers: Blake Bollinger/Chris Janson/Michael Tyler/Thomas Archer; Producers: Blake Bollinger, Chris Janson; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– This has the country rocking vibe of ’90s country. As usual, Janson knows how to let the good times roll.

BILL MEDLEY / “He Stopped Loving Her Today”
Writers: Bobby Braddock/Curly Putman; Producer: Fred Mollin; Label: Curb Records
– The Righteous Brother has immortalized everything from “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” to “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.” Medley also has a country past, having charted in the genre half a dozen times in the ‘80s. His forthcoming album is devoted to classic country songs. It probably wasn’t the best idea to cover this iconic George Jones number, especially not by making the death ballad sound even more lugubrious. But I’m still a fan.

ANA CHRISTINA CASH / “Last Call”
Writers: Ana Cristina Cash/Jodi Marr/Willie Breeding; Producer: John Carter Cash, Willie Breeding; Label: Avondale Records
– This lady has always been a fiery vocal stylist. This sassy, empowering outing rocks smartly with a snappy rhythm to match her spitfire performance. The artist is also issuing a Spanish-language version, “Tu Ultima Llamada.” She and hubby John Carter Cash are slated for the Opry’s Valentine’s Day edition tomorrow (Feb. 14). The show’s theme is “It Takes Two: The Opry Celebrates Country Duos,” and other guests will include those lovebirds of The War and Treaty

LARRY FLEET / “Hard Work and Holy Water”
Writers: Barry Dean/Larry Fleet/Luke Laird; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: LF
– Fleet remains a mighty strong country vocalist. The blue-collar song is perfect for him, and the clean production couldn’t be more flawless. This is my kinda country. “Can I get a back-road Hallelujah?” he asks. Yes, you can.

MACKENZIE CARPENTER & MIDLAND / “I Wish You Would”
Writers: Chris Tompkins/Jamie Moore/Jonathan Hutcherson/Mackenzie Carpenter; Producer: Jamie Moore; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Nice work. The track has a seductive rhythmic roll, guitars twanging gently and beautifully harmonized vocals. Put this sensuous one on “Repeat.”