Darius Rucker, “My Masterpiece”
With “Beers and Sunshine” sitting atop the Country Airplay chart, Rucker dips deeper into his forthcoming album with this sweet, swaying ode to a lasting love. As he declares, he may be no Picasso or ever paint something as grand as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, but his “masterpiece” is in elevating loving his partner to an art form.
Jack ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall, “Tin Man”
As the May 7 release of The Marfa Tapes — a collection of songs written by the three singer-songwriters — approaches, they reveal a raw version of heartbreaker “Tin Man,” the ACM song of the year winner from Lambert’s 2016 album, “The Weight of These Wings.” The song, stripped down to its bare essence with just Lambert’s vocal and an acoustic guitar, remains as poignant as when it was first released — as Lambert reminds The Wizard of Oz’s Tin Man that he really doesn’t want a heart, after all, since it will only end up broken like hers. They keep the mics open after Lambert finishes, unsure of whether she’s delivered a solid rendition. Ingram and Randall assure her she has, indeed, nailed it.
Lady A, “Like A Lady”
The trio drops a rollicking new song, featuring Lady A’s Hillary Scott up front, declaring that she’s ready to step out, do what she wants and treat herself. Fiddles collide with the pop melody and rock guitars on this peppy track, which will have you tapping your toes from the first note. It’s also worth a listen just to hear Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood chime in “I feel like a lady” in the backing vocals.
Ingrid Andress, “Lady Like”
Grammy nominee Andress’s colorful video for “Lady Like” unspools like a high-end fashion shoot. From the clothes to the scenery to the gorgeous photography, the clip is a visual feast, while never distracting from the playful, empowering lyrics.
Sean Stemaly, “Hello, You Up?”
Regrets? Stemaly has a few. This classic tale of drowning sorrows in a bottle after a break-up gets an updated twist here — as Stemaly texts his ex to check in on her, even though she’s told him she needs a break. Stemaly’s resonant baritone recalls Luke Bryan, on what sounds like a surefire hit for this burgeoning talent.
A promising new singer-songwriter signed to Nicolle Galyon’s publishing company, Tiera’s self-released EP is a sunny collection of upbeat tunes devoted to love. Her sweet voice floats over the bouncy opening cut, “Found It In You,” and espouses the joy of a night of Netflix and chilling on the R&B-tinged “Laid Back.” She also shows her feisty side on empowering pop-country anthem “Not Your Girl,” and makes for a perfect duet partner with fellow hot newcomer Breland on “Miles,” which compares their fine love to a fine auto. Ignore at your own risk.
Leslie Jordan feat. Chris and Morgane Stapleton, “Farther Along”
Hello, fellow hunker-downers. Everybody’s favorite pandemic buddy, character actor Jordan, has become an Instagram star during COVID-19, in part due to his weekly Sunday gospel posts with Travis Howard. Now he’s taken his passion and expanded fame to make a gospel album. The first track, classic hymn “Farther Along,” is a great entry point — with Jordan acting as singer (he acquits himself fine), preacher and congregation as he cheers on Morgane who takes the glorious lead here, and Chris, who chips in with just the right amount of righteous wailing at the end. The arrangements, with full horns, are superb. Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile and Eddie Vedder are among his duet partners on the April 2 release.
Caroline Jones, “Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable)”
Jones is putting bad boys on notice with the spritely “Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable),” a song that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Shania Twain’s Come on Over album. Jones holds all the cards here, making it refreshingly clear that she is in full control, and reminding potential suitors, “I’ll put up with you, but you aren’t getting in my pants.” Consider yourself warned.
Joey Hendricks, Between The Clouds
Songwriter-turned-artist Hendricks’ debut EP opens with the sexy mid-tempo charmer “Yours or Mine” about a couple’s first (maybe only) night together before turning to “Hollywood,” a slow burner of a song about a woman’s intoxicating effect that is stronger than all the drugs in L.A. Two tracks explore nostalgia — provoked by looking in the “Top Drawer” of his bedroom dresser and the bittersweet pull of where he grew up on “Going Home.” On slinky “Drifter,” Hendricks makes no apologies for his unwillingness to settle down — in one place or with one person –despite his better instincts. Hendricks has a laid back, unrushed quality to his delivery that gives the songs room to breathe, and invites the listener to lean in and join him on the journey.
Triston Marez feat. Ronnie Dunn, “Where the Neon Lies”
Marez, whose first album comes out next month, makes an auspicious debut with this twangy tune, featuring Brooks & Dunn’s Ronnie Dunn. The mid-tempo track sounds straight out of a mid-‘90s Brooks & Dunn album (and may remind some of a gentler “Neon Moon”). While Dunn, as always, sounds amazing, he takes no focus away from Marez’s stellar smooth country delivery.
Mallory Johnson and Twin Kennedy, “Wise Woman”
Johnson may sing in a delicate lilt, but her words, written with siblings Twin Kennedy, carry the strength of decades of women who have fought to stand their ground and be seen. “Girl power shouldn’t come with a price,” Johnson sings in this gorgeous tale of vulnerability and sisterhood that strikes just the right chord. Sometimes an anthem can come from the quietest ones in the room.
David Lee Murphy Talks Working With Kenny Chesney at 2018 CMA Awards | Billboard
Source: News | Billboard
