All stars, no waiting.
With Blake, Strait, Kane, Luke and Thomas Rhett all in the mix, today’s column is loaded with headliners. So loaded, in fact, that there was no room for any newcomers. Hence, no DisCovery Award.
And as it happens, the Disc of the Day doesn’t belong to any of the superstars. It goes to up-and-comer Jordan Davis. Sing, bro. I hear you loud and clear.
INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis/Derrick Southerland; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic
– This woman has talent in spades. The single remains “Lady Like,” but check out this dynamic ballad for an extra special treat.
KANE BROWN & BECKY G/Lost In The Middle Of Nowhere
Writers: Kane Brown/Lauren Alaina Suddeth/Jon Nite/Jesse Frasure; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Universal/Warner-Chappell/Sony-ATV/Downtown, no performance rights listed; RCA
– Bopping and infectious. In fact, the bounce and the groove are so catchy, you don’t even notice that there’s not much of either a lyric or a melody. There’s a Spanish-language mix, too.
MIDLAND/Mr. Lonely
Writers: Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne; Producer: Shane McAnally, Osborne and Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– A cool, retro-country, uptempo shuffle, complete with twang, vocal harmonies and plenty of steel. Enthusiastically recommended.
GEORGE STRAIT/God and Country Music
Writers:Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Lori McKenna; Producers: George Strait/Chuck Ainlay; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
-Just one thing: God doesn’t need “saving.” God is omnipotent, that’s kind of the whole point. However, this is a very pretty country ballad.
JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot
Writers: Davis/Lonnie Lee Fowler; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Publishers: ole Red Cape/Jordan Davis/Amylase Songs N Such/Matching Cowlicks/WB, ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– The combination here is a dense, echoey, pop production with his extraordinary vocal warmth and an ultra romantic lyric. Dreamy is the result.
THOMAS RHETT/That Old Truck
Writers: Rhett Akins/Julian C. Bunetta/Ryan B. Tedder; Producer: none listed; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Write Me a Song, no performance rights listed; Valory
– This is a country-music smash if I’ve ever heard one. It has a summer-nostalgia vibe that is super listenable and undeniably addictive.
RUSTON KELLY/All Too Well
Writers: Taylor Swift/Liz Rose; Producer: Ruston Kelly/Jarrad K; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
-Hushed and swirly and atmospheric. Lost in the reverie of a faded romance. Utterly lovely. You need to listen to this artist. Now.
BLAKE SHELTON/God’s Country
Writers: Michael Hardy/Jordan Schmidt/Devin Dawson; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: Relative Music Group (BMI), Administered by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing (BMI) / WB Music Corp. / Georgia Song Vibez / We-volve Music (ASCAP) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. / Neon Cross Music (BMI); Warner Bros.
– Dark and passionate, with a Bocephus outlaw vibe. A salute to the hard-working everyday folks of Middle America. A terrific change of pace for this superstar.
SCOTTY McCREERY/In Between
Writers: McCreery/Jessi Alexander/Jonathan Singleton; Producers: Frank Rogers/Aaron Eshuis/Derek Wells; Publishers: none listed; Triple Tigers
– Very well written. As usual, he sings with aplomb. The toe-tapping rhythm is perfect for a springtime playlist.
LUKE BRYAN/Knockin’ Boots
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Gordie Sampson/Jon Nite; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– It is doubtless timed to become a summer radio fave and intends to beckon you to a weekend good time. Thanks, but I believe I’ll sit this one out.
About the Author
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.View Author Profile
