Tigirlily Set To Drop Debut EP July 9

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Sister duo Tigirlily is releasing their debut, self-titled EP on July 9 via Monument Records. The latest track to release ahead of the forthcoming EP, “Dig Yourself,” which the duo co-wrote with Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen and Josh Osborne, is out now.

The two North Dakota natives, Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh, made the release announcement last night (June 10) when they returned home to take the stage at the Laughing Sun Brewery in Bismarck, N.D. for a special livestream event. The new project was produced by McAnally and Louis Newman, and features five songs the pair co-wrote, including three penned with fellow Monument Records artists Walker Hayes and Brandon Ratcliff.

“When writing these songs for our EP, we wanted to share hints of who we are as people, artists, and sisters,” says Kendra and Krista. “Our hope is that this EP changes the course of people’s day for the better and brings some light into the world. At the end of the day, we started out as two small town sisters who loved to play and write music… and in 8 years of doing music together, we can honestly say we love it just as much as the day we started Tigirlily. We can’t wait for the world to hear this project!”

Tigirlily EP Track List:
“My Thang” – Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Walker Hayes
“Somebody Does” – Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Zarni deVette
“Dig Yourself” – Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Trevor Rosen / Shane McAnally / Josh Osborne
“Everybody’s On Something” – Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Walker Hayes
“Known You Forever” – Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Pete Good / Brandon Ratcliff

Sony Music Entertainment Launches New Artists Forward Initiative

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In a letter to artists and eligible participants obtained by MusicRow, Sony Music Entertainment (SME) announced the launch of a new initiative to prioritize transparency with creators in all aspects of their development called Artists Forward.

To enhance its level of service under this new initiative, the company also unveiled a Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program, which creates more payment opportunities for artists and participants around the world.

SME announced they will no longer apply existing unrecouped balances to earnings generated on or after Jan. 1, 2021 for eligible artists and participants globally who signed to SME prior to the year 2000 and have not received an advance since then. Through this program, the company hopes to increase the ability of those who qualify to receive more money from the use of their music.

In addition, those eligible for the Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program can join other qualifying Sony Music artists in receiving advances on projected earnings using Real Time Advances. This new feature, available through the Sony Music Artist Portal, enables instant account advances and is currently available in the U.S. and U.K. with additional markets around the world being added later this year. Qualifying users who use the Sony Music Artist Portal will also be able to request a withdrawal of all or part of their payable balance each month as soon as it becomes available using the Cash Out feature.

Artists and participants who qualify for the Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program will be notified of their eligibility separately in the coming weeks.

Chris Young Rallies Some ‘Famous Friends’ For New Album Out August 6

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Chris Young. Photo Jeff Johnson

Chris Young is gearing up for the release of his 8th studio album Famous Friends on August 6.

Led by the rising title track with Kane Brown, the 14-song project includes assists from plenty of Young’s famous friends, including Lauren Alaina and Mitchell Tenpenny, Sarah Buxton, Hillary Lindsey, and Shay Mooney contributing background vocals. Continuing the theme of the new record, Young also co-produced 13 of 14 tracks on the project along with several more of his famous friends – Corey Crowder, Chris DeStefano and Mark Holman.

YouTube video

In addition to “Raised On Country,” “Drowning,” “Town Ain’t Big Enough” and “ Famous Friends ,” which recently won for CMT Music Awards Collaborative Video of the Year, his new song “Rescue Me” is out today ahead of the album’s release in August.

“I know I’ve said it before, but I honestly can’t say it enough – I am so excited to be releasing my new album,” shares Young. “There are so many incredibly talented artists, songwriters and producers – all friends of mine – who helped make this album possible. Having friends share their talents as collaborators, songwriters, producers and more, it’s only natural to call the album ‘Famous Friends.’ I want people to fall in love with it, blow their speakers listening to it, dance to it, party along with it, cry to it, just live it – and I can’t wait to start playing this new music on the road soon.”

Famous Friends Track List:
1. Raised on Country
2. Famous Friends (with Kane Brown)
3. Town Ain’t Big Enough (with Lauren Alaina)
4. Drowning
5. Rescue Me
6. Break Like You Do
7. At the End of a Bar (with Mitchell Tenpenny)
8. Love Looks Good on You
9. One of Them Nights
10. When You’re Drinking
11. Cross Every Line
12. Hold My Beer Watch This
13. Best Seat in the House
14. Tonight We’re Dancing

Brian Kelley Rides Solo Wave With New ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’ Project

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FGL’s Brian Kelley is reaching back to his Florida roots with his solo debut, Sunshine State Of Mind, on Warner Music Nashville/Nashville South Records, Inc., available June 25. Fans can pre-order the new project now.

Six tracks are available for instant download upon pre-order, featuring BK’s Wave Pack – “Made By The Water,” “Party On The Beach,” “Beach Cowboy,” and “Sunday Service In The Sand” – in addition to brand new releases including open ocean anthem “Highway On The Water” and the serenade “Songs For You.” Kelley co-penned and co-produced the project along with Corey Crowder, and writers contributing to this love letter to the beach life include Canaan Smith, Jimmy Robbins, Blake Redferrin, and more.

YouTube video

Kelley welcomed viewers into his “Beach Cowboy” way-of-life by dropping four videos with the Wave Pack, and rolling out two more with the album announcement. Ditching his motorcycle and the asphalt for a “Highway On The Water,” Kelley’s collaborator Ben Christensen stars in and directs the video captured on location in his home base of Phoenix. Christensen also directed the new “Songs For You” video featuring Kelley and wife Brittney, plus local couples they met while exploring Grayton Beach, Florida.

“They say write what you know and this is the first time I really wrote for me. These songs are my babies, y’all,” shares Brian Kelley. “This project came from a real place – my experiences as a kid in Florida, getting away, and finally moving back – and it’s just been a very life-giving thing for me. I hope fans get to know a little more about me, hear my voice, and that Sunshine State Of Mind takes you on a dreamlike vacation as soon as you hit play. Welcome to Season One.”

Sunshine State Of Mind Track List:
1. Boat Names – Brian Kelley, Parker Welling, Casey Brown
2. Made By The Water – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Randy Montana
3. Sunburnt – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Blake Redferrin
4. Highway On The Water – Brian Kelley, Blake Redferrin, Jake Rose
5. Real Good Day – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Chase McGill
6. Party On The Beach – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Blake Redferrin, Canaan Smith
7. Don’t Take Much – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith
8. Fish All Day – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Blake Redferrin, Canaan Smith
9. Boat Ride – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith
10. Beach Cowboy – Brian Kelley, Blake Redferrin, Jake Rose *
11. By Boat – Brian Kelley, Jimmy Robbins, Nicolle Galyon
12. Songs For You – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Blake Redferrin
13. Say The Word – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Chris Loocke, Blake Redferrin, Joe Clemmons +
14. Horses On The Beach – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Blake Redferrin, Jake Rose
15. Savannah – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Blake Redferrin, Canaan Smith
16. Sunday Service In The Sand – Brian Kelley, Blake Redferrin, Canaan Smith, Jake Rose
17. Florida Boy Forever – Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Blake Redferrin, Canaan Smith, Jake Rose

All Songs Produced by Corey Crowder and Brian Kelley.
* Co-Produced by Jake Rose
+ Co-Produced by Chris Loocke

Thomas Rhett Remains At No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Thomas Rhett‘s song,” Country Again” remains No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week. This is Rhett’s second single this year to spend two weeks at No. 1 following “What’s Your Country Song,” which peaked in January.

The single is the title track to Rhett’s double album and appears on Side A of the release. Rhett co-wrote every song on Side A, and penned “Country Again” with Zach Crowell and Ashley Gorley.

“It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve written yet and honestly just feels full circle in so many ways… it’s about the crazy journey I’ve been on over the last decade and ultimately finding my way back home,” Rhett says of the song.

Dates have been rescheduled for Rhett’s Center Point Road Tour with Cole Swindell and Gabby Barrett. The tour kicks off in Aug. 13 in Orange Beach, Alabama. 

Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.

Industry Ink: 17th Annual Ringside, Brooke Webster, NFT Panel, Christian Yeager

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The Charley Foundation Holds 17th Annual Ringside Boxing Fundraiser

Pictured (top left): Jaime Paulin (UMPG), Phillip White (FAME Music Publishing); (top right): Tyler Corrado (BBR Music Group/BMG); (bottom): Nikki Boon (1021 Entertainment), Erin Pettit (FBMM). Photos: Abigail Volkmann

On Friday, June 4, The Charley Foundation held its 17th annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids gala for a reduced-capacity crowd, raising over $150K for various children’s charities. The annual charity boxing event at The Factory’s Liberty Hall in Franklin, Tennessee, featured three bouts of amateur boxing with Nashville music industry professionals facing off in the ring.

Jaime Paulin (Universal Music Publishing) came out on top duking it out with Phillip White (FAME Music Publishing); Nikki Boon (1021 Entertainment, artist manager) won a split decision against Erin Pettit (FBMM, account manager); and Tyler Corrado (BBR Music Group/BMG, social media and fan engagement, manager) defeated Patrick Worstell (Warner Music Nashville, artist development coordinator). Charlie Worsham performed the national anthem to kick off the evening which also featured gourmet dining, music by DJ D​izzy, and a silent auction.

“Ringside may have been scaled-back a bit this year, but the fighters and industry really stepped up to help us have another successful event,” shares Carolyn Miller, The Charley Foundation’s founder and chairman, and Ringside producer. “Everyone’s generosity will directly touch the lives of children in need.”

 

 

Brooke Webster Joins Back Blocks Music As New A&R, Creative Coordinator

Brooke Webster. Photo: Rachel Deeb

Back Blocks Music has announced Brooke Webster as the new A&R/Creative Coordinator. In this role, she will be responsible for researching new talent, managing artist and writer calendars, overseeing the music catalog and supporting the overall creative strategy of the roster.

Webster is a recent graduate from Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music with a degree in music business. She served as president of Belmont’s Bear House Writer Management organization and previously held a variety of music internships at SMACKSongs, Big Loud, ASCAP, and more.

“When I met Brooke, I knew her personality and work ethic would fit well with the culture we are building at Back Blocks Music,” shares Rakiyah Marshall, CEO/Founder of Back Blocks Music. “I’m thrilled to have her a part of the team and look forward to the future ahead.”

 

 

Entertainment Attorney Colin Maher To Hold Free Virtual NFT Seminar

Entertainment attorney Colin Maher, in partnership with Nashville-based non-profit HOME (Helping Our Music Evolve), will host a free virtual event revolving around the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on June 14 at 6 p.m. CST.

Maher will provide a background into NFTs and shine a light into the legal issues that could arise when music-related NFTs are sold. Throughout the seminar, he will explain questions and concerns, including potential copyright issues; licenses that may be needed when selling NFTs; how to structure agreements between creators and labels, publishers, managers, and/or distributors; how to sell NFTs co-owned with collaborators; and more.

Attorney Maher attended New England School of Law in Boston and founded his law firm, Whiskey Ghost Entertainment Law, in 2016. He has been named Super Lawyers’ Rising Star for the past three years and recently joined the Nashville Chamber’s Music Industry Advisory Group.

To register for the event and for more information, click here.

 

 

Lamon Records Signs 17-Year-Old Christian Yeager

Christian Yeager

Seventeen year old singer-songwriter Christian Yeager has signed a record deal with Lamon Records and Aristo Media Promotions. His first single “Born For A Friday Night,” written by Andy Timmons, Chris Yarber, and Hunter Phelps, is available now.

A Pennsylvania native, Yeager completed his first recording at the age of fifteen at County Q Studio Nashville with the guidance of Lee Bach. He is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and ASCAP, and recently completed a songwriting course at Berklee College Of Music in Boston. He is planning to pursue a BBA major in Music Business.

Jim Selby, Jon Singer Join NMPA Board Of Directors

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Jim Selby, Jon Singer

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) announced its Board of Directors for the next two-year term at the NMPA Annual Meeting held on June 9, 2021. Joining the Board are two new members, Jim Selby and Jon Singer.

The news was announced at the NMPA Annual Meeting.

Based in Nashville, Selby, Chief Publishing Executive for Concord Music Group, joins the Board as an Executive level member. At Concord, he oversees all global publishing business, including supporting creative efforts with its active songwriters and composers and supporting the roster of songwriters and deep catalog of songs. He has served as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, and General Manager of Concord Music Group. Previously, Selby was SVP of ole Media Management (now Anthem Entertainment) and was also CEO of Naxos of America.

Based in New York City, Singer is Chairman of Spirit Music Group. After joining Spirit in 2011, he successfully executed the company’s largest transactions, amounting to over $120 million in acquisitions. Previously, Singer spent 15 years on the recording side of the business in senior capacities at Island Records, Island Def Jam and Decca Label Group.

The new Board members join fellow publishers Jody Gerson, Keith Hauprich, Laurent Hubert, Carianne Marshall, Jon Platt, Marti Cuevas, Neil Gillis, Justin Kalifowitz, Golnar Khosrowshahi, Jody Klein, Leeds Levy, Kenny MacPherson, Chip McLean, Mike Molinar, Ralph Peer II, and songwriters Liz Rose and Ross Golan.

“We are privileged to have the expertise of Jim and Jon on our Board during this particularly dynamic time in the industry. As publishing evolves, their voices will have a serious impact on NMPA’s leadership and direction,” says NMPA Board Chairman Irwin Robinson. “I thank them for their time and commitment to serving fellow publishers and songwriters.”

“I have known Jim for years and am thrilled to officially welcome him to the NMPA board. His experience will serve us well as we navigate numerous challenges in Washington and around the world,” NMPA President & CEO David Israelite shares. “Additionally, Jon has shepherded in a new era at Spirit and his insight will be essential to our efforts to protect copyrights in the modern era.”

Lou Taylor’s Tri Star Sports And Entertainment Group Awards Scholarship To Spelman College

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Lou Taylor, CEO of Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group.

Tri Star Sports And Entertainment Group CEO Lou Taylor has created a new Sports & Entertainment Finish Line grant program to offer support for Black students who have excelled in school and need financial support to complete their degree. The first recipient of the $70,000 Finish Line Scholarship will be Spelman College, the No. 1 ranked Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

In June of 2020, Taylor and the Tri Star leadership team determined they would create action items that supported the Black Lives Matter Movement, which lead to creating a college grant program that could serve the Black community. Tri Star worked with Spelman President Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Jessie Brooks to create the scholarship.

Photo: Courtesy of Spelman College

“When we announced to the Tri Star staff which HBCU we were going to partner with for our scholarships, many staff members shared their personal success stories and how the financial support they received along the way made such a difference for them and their families,“ says Taylor. “Among them was a staff member with their own Spelman story. We knew right then and there we had made the right choice by partnering with Spelman College for our Finish Line Scholarship.”

Taylor revealed plans to establish future opportunities for Spelman students, and the fund will continue to offer financial support to those who are nearing their last days with the school. Tri Star hopes to be able to grow the scholarship program each year, providing more funds to more students in the years to come.

Lauren Daigle World Tour Set For Fall

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Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle is launching her new World Tour on Sept. 24 that will include 26 dates and will wrap in Nashville on Nov. 19 at Bridgestone Arena. The War and Treaty will join Daigle as special guests on the new tour.

The tour will in make stops in Kansas City, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston, and New Orleans before wrapping in Nashville on Nov. 19. Tickets are now on sale at laurendaigle.com/tour.

The new tour will feature all-new stage production, design, and feature plenty of Daigle’s hits, including her latest No. 1 single “Hold On To Me,” the Platinum-selling “Rescue,” and the 4x Platinum No. 1 single “You Say,” as well as tracks from her previous Platinum-selling album, How Can It Be.

Since the release of her Grammy-winning, Platinum album Look Up Child, Daigle has reigned on the Billboard charts. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Top 200 Albums chart making Daigle the first female artist to simultaneously hit the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Pop and Christian album charts. In addition, the Grammy-winning crossover hit, “You Say,” became the longest-running No. 1 of any genre on the weekly Billboard Hot charts at 129 weeks and was recently certified 4x-platinum by the RIAA. Her latest single “Hold On To Me” is Daigle’s fifth No. 1 and has given her the record of most No. 1s among women on the Hot Christian Songs chart.

Lauren Daigle World Tour:
September 24th – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum – Fort Wayne, IN
September 25th – Ford Center – Evansville, IN
September 26th – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO
September 30th – State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
October 1st – Amway Center – Orlando, FL
October 2nd – BB&T Center – Sunrise, FL
October 7th – North Charleston Coliseum – North Charleston, SC
October 8th – Scope Arena – Norfolk, VA
October 9th – Berglund Center – Roanoke, VA
October 14th – Lafayette CAJUNDOME – Lafayette, LA
October 15th – First National Bank Arena – Jonesboro, AR
October 16th – Von Braun Center’s Propst Arena – Huntsville, AL
October 21st – Denny Sanford Premier Center – Sioux Falls, SD
October 22nd – Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
October 23rd – Resch Center – Green Bay, WI
October 28th – Grossinger Motos Arena – Bloomington, IL
October 29th – Chi Health Center Omaha – Omaha, NE
October 30th – Chaifetz Arena – St. Louis, MO
November 4th – Toyota Center – Houston, TX
November 5th – Frank Erwin Center – Austin, TX
November 6th – Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, LA
November 11th – Schottenstein Center – Columbus, OH
November 12th – Giant Center – Hershey, PA
November 13th – Huntington Center – Toledo, OH
November 18th – Rupp Center – Lexinton, KY
November 19th – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brad Paisley, Tyler Booth, Ernest

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Brad Paisley

The winners here are all gentle persuaders.

Country music makers often make the mistake of believing that listeners need to be hit over the head to get them to pay attention. Defying that mindset today are the subtle and charming Brittney Spencer, Ernest, Jameson Rodgers and our Disc of the Day winner, Brad Paisley. Our Fourth of July superstar drops his “City of Music” tomorrow. Get ready to be impressed.

Our DisCovery Award winner comes to us from Sony, a busy company that accounts for four of our DisClaimer entries this week. It’s Tyler Booth with his dandy “Beautiful Outlaw.”

TYLER BOOTH / “Beautiful Outlaw”
Writers: Buddy Owens/Phil O’Donnell/Tyler Booth; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Label: Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville
— The solid “outlaw” beat and the drawling, personality-plus vocal draw you in at once. The clever lyric does the rest of the work. I’m in.

ROSS ELLIS / “I Wish You Would”
Writers: Dan Fernandez/Michael Whitworth/Ross Ellis; Producer: Brandon Hood/Dann Huff; Label: RCA Nashville
— It’s well produced, and his pleading vocal is on the money. The song seems kinda masochistic to me.

KYLIE MORGAN / “Shoulda”
Writers: Kylie Morgan/Shane McAnally/Ben Johnson; Producer: Shane McAnally/Ben Johnson; Label: EMI
— Rocking and sexy. She has a pert, saucy vocal style. The stomping, guitar-screaming track is mixed a little too high, threatening to thoroughly overwhelm her. Tone it down.

BRAD PAISLEY / “City of Music”
Writers: Brad Paisley/Lee Thomas Miller/Ross Copperman; Producer: Ross Copperman/Luke Wooten; Label: Arista
— It’s a musical love letter to Nashville. A wonderful song, delivered by one of our greatest artists.

ERNEST / “American Rust”
Writers: Ernest/Rodney Clawson/Jordan Reynolds; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
— This new artist is an award-winning songwriter (as Ernest Keith Smith), having been behind hits by FGL, Sam Hunt, Morgan Wallen and Chris Lane. On disc, he is a marvelously evocative story teller. Over a shuffling beat, he softly sings of heartland America in a lyric loaded with vivid imagery. A superb debut.

RAY STEVENS / “Gas”
Writers: Barry Smith; Producer: Ray Stevens; Label: MCC/Curb
— Pun after pun after pun after pun … about farting. Goofy and maybe a little crass, but awfully clever. His legendary zaniness remains intact.

JAMESON RODGERS / “When You Think of Mississippi”
Writers: Jake Mitchell/Jameson Rodgers/Josh Miller/Smith Ahnquist; Producer: Chris Farren/Jake Mitchell; Label: River House/ Columbia
— Beautifully done. Heartfelt, wistful, dreamy and country all the way. This guy is the bomb and should be a star.

CLAY WALKER / “You Look Good”
Writers: Clay Walker/Jaron Boyer/Michael Tyler; Producer: Michael Knox/Jaron Boyer; Label: Show Dog Nashville
— She looks attractive to him no matter the setting. It’s a simple sentiment, simple production and simple performance. A little too simple. I liked his last single better. Pass.

BRITTNEY SPENCER / “Sober & Skinny”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: BS
— Very nice. Over a gently rolling rhythm, she plaintively sings of the little failings we all have. Most especially, she relates to the imperfections in a relationship—“when you get sober, I’ll get skinny.” There is magic in her voice, an instrument of lovely nuances and beautifully turned phrases. Open the door and let her in.

TRACY LAWRENCE & EDDIE MONTGOMERY / “Price of Fame”
Writers: Tracy Lawrence/Brad Arnold/Rick Huckaby; Producer: Tracy Lawrence/Flip Anderson; Label: TL
— These two veterans sound completely authentic on this rolling anthem about the cost of living your life on the country-music highway. Produced with clarity and sung with finesse.

BRELAND & KEITH URBAN / “Throw It Back”
Writers: Daniel Breland/Keith Urban/Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Producer: Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Label: Bad Realm/Atlantic
— It’s a thumpy, banjo-laced banger that combines Urban’s soaring tenor with Breland’s droll, dry, quasi-rapped electronically-processed baritone. It’s quite repetitive, but that’s the way pop and hip-hop are, right?

NOAH SCHNACKY & JIMMIE ALLEN / “Don’t You Wanna Know”
Writers: Noah Schnacky/Joshua Wade Dorr/Dylan Guthro; Producer: Dylan Guthro; Label: Big Machine
— Noah brings youthful verve to this, and Jimmie rides along gamely. Electronic burbles of sound, synth beats and a murky hip-hop vibe are all deployed. But the whole thing sounds aimless and vague. I think the gist of the “song” is talking a city girl into loving a country boy, but beyond that, I find no real point to it.