Chely Wright and Austin Jenckes take different approaches to chronicling the journey to meet their partners in a pair of excellent new tracks, the Sisterhood aim for summer radio dominance with Get Up and Go and Tenille Arts pays tribute to her mother in this weeks group of must-hear songs.
Chely Wright, Revival
The title track from Chely Wrights new EP finds the singer/songwriter ruminating over past relationships, all of which helped shape her into a worthy partner for her wife. A moving song about closure and forgiveness, Revival shimmers with reverb-heavy guitars and cinematic percussion.
James Wesley, Running
A staple of James Wesleys shows for the past half-decade, Running receives its official release on this months self-titled James Wesley EP. Co-written by the singer himself, its a right-down-the-middle anthem for country-radio devotees, delivered with a hint of rock & roll and a heaping of modern production.
Corey Smith, Down Easy
Corey Smith wrote Down Easy on his back porch and self-produced the song in his home studio, so its no surprise that this low-key, summery salute to family should focus upon the people who keep him grounded between tour dates. Your loves sweet like sugar cubes; you make it go down easy, he sings to his wife.
Austin Jenckes, Never Forget
Austin Jenckes retraces the steps that led him to his first encounter with his now-wife. A nostalgic love song from his upcoming debut, If You Grew Up Like I Did, Never Forget is cut from the same cloth as country heart-warmers like Thomas Rhetts Die a Happy Man.
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Tenille Arts, Call You Names
Released just in time for Mothers Day, Call You Names pays overdue tribute to Tenille Arts biggest fan. I call you mama, my best friend, my everything til the end, she sings to her Mom, tracing the pairs relationship from the angst-ridden days of Arts adolescence to their mutually-supportive present.
The Sisterhood Band, Get Up and Go
Dont try to tie Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart down. A funky, stir-crazy song about getting the hell out of dodge, Get Up and Go hits its singalong-worthy stride during each chorus, where vocal harmonies and a poppy percussive pulse join forces to form an early contender for song-of-the-summer status.
Kacy & Clayton, Carrying On
Produced by Jeff Tweedy, Carrying On the title track from Kacy & Claytons upcoming October release is an old soul of a song, reminiscent of the roughhewn roots music that once poured forth from places like Big Pink and Laurel Canyon.
Kelly Hunt, Across the Great Divide
Although born in Memphis, Kelly Hunt sings with the lilting cadence of a folksinger born somewhere far away, sometime long ago. That timelessness serves her well on Across the Great Divide, a sparse, banjo-propelled song about love, heartbreak, and forgiveness.
Joanne Shaw Taylor, All My Love
The British blues-rocker returns, bringing with her a new album this years Reckless Heart, inspired by big-voiced belters like Chris Stapleton and Tina Turner and a soulful single about leaving her mark upon a lovers heart. I wanna give you all my love so no other lover will ever be enough, she sings, right before launching into a guitar solo worthy of the Faces.
Adam Chaffins, Im Over You
Recorded live at Zac Browns Southern Ground studio, this Keith Whitley cover is downright cinematic, thanks to a full string section and a nuanced arrangement that prizes layers over dense heaps of sound. At the center of mix is Chaffins, who accompanies himself on upright bass.