It’s a pop-country day here at DISClaimer.
With Maren Morris, The Brethren, Ya’Boyz and CB30 setting the pace, there was plenty of youthful verve in the listening session. And CB30 caps it by winning this week’s DISCovery Award.
That said, there was still some dandy regulation-country listening. Most especially from Chapel Hart, Jake Owen, Drew Parker and our Disc of the Day winners, The Isaacs.
THE BRETHREN / “Staring at Stars”
Writers: Chad Chapin/Lonnie Chapin/Casey Parnell/Corey Parnell/Brian White/Barry Zito; Producer: The Brethren; Label: OneRPM
–Beautifully harmonized and lushly melodic, this bit of pop-country ear candy evokes summer romance and vacation joy. The luxurious, layered production ain’t exactly down home, but it is mighty, mighty pretty.
DONNA FARGO / “One of the Good Guys”
Writers: Donna Fargo; Producer: Stan Silver; Label: PrimaDonna
–Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Donna Fargo is renowned for “Funny Face,” “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA” and a string of other hits in the 1970s and 1980s. Her career was a partnership with husband/manager/producer Stan Silver, whom she lost to COVID last year. Donna’s new All Because of You EP contains the songs they were working on at the time of his death. It leads off with this celebration of his love. The tenor-sax riffs in the arrangement add depth to her sweetly sincere, heartfelt delivery.
YA’BOYZ / “Ya’Boyz”
Writers: Zach Kale/Joe Ragosta/Joseph Patton/Nick Zinnanti; Producers: Zach Kale/Joe Ragosta/NCKSZN; Label: MCA/Republic
–This energetic collaboration features High Valley, Filmore, Levi Hummon, Kyle Clark and Jojo Mason. Group members Kale and Ragosta lead the way on a loud, backwoods banger that sports rock percussion, hick-hop vocals and plenty of redneck imagery. Rowdy and fun sounding, if not exactly my cup of tea.
DYLAN SCOTT / “Livin’ My Best Life”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Thomas Rhett/Corey Crowder; Producers: Will Weatherly/Matt Alderman/Jim Ed Norman/Curt Gibbs/Mark Holman; Label: Curb
–Considering the quality he previously displayed on “Nobody,” “Can’t Have Mine,” “My Girl,” “Crazy Over Me” and the splendid current rocker “New Truck,” the title tune of Scott’s upcoming album is a bit of a disappointment. The generic production kinda goes in one ear and out the other.
CHAPEL HART / “Made For Me”
Writers: Danica Hart/Devynn Hart/Trea Swindle; Producer: none listed; Label: CH
–This joyous bopper traces the totally talented trio’s journey from Poplarville, Mississippi to New Orleans. From there, these gifted gals made the trip to Music City, where surely country stardom awaits. The hooky song is irresistible. The production is dandy. The vocals are splendid. Chapel Hart rules.
MAREN MORRIS / “Humble Quest”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Maren Morris/Laura Veltz; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: Columbia
–The title tune of Morris’s new album is a moody, oblique thumper. It sounds like she continues to aspire to pop stardom.
BRANTLEY GILBERT & JASON ALDEAN / “Rolex on a Redneck”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Michael Hardy/Randy Montana/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Brock Berryhill/Brantley Gilbert; Label: Valory
–All the brand-name shout-outs can’t disguise the overwhelming dullness of this tuneless, repetitive outing. I was so bored I practically nodded off.
THE ISAACS / “Humpty Dumpty Heart”
Writers: Sonya Isaacs/Becky Isaacs Bowman/Ronnie Bowman; Producer: none listed; Label: House of Isaacs
–These new Grand Ole Opry members sing like angels. With Sonya’s celestial soprano leading the way, the group’s harmonies carry this lilting message along while mandolin, guitar, dobro and bass ripple rhythmically. Heartbroken? Pick yourself up, put the pieces back together and carry on.
HANK WILLIAMS JR. / “.44 Special Blues”
Writers: Robert Johnson; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
–Bocephus has always been a bluesman at heart, and that is what is celebrated on his upcoming album. Producer Auerbach recorded him live, singing and playing classics as well as new songs. This advance single is as pure and unadulterated as can be.
JAKE OWEN / “Up There Down Here”
Writers: Zach Dyer/Summer Overstreet/Travis Wood; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–The hooky track rolls on relentlessly with a happy thump. Owen drawls the Saturday-night/Sunday-morning lyric with easy-going charm. Absolutely play this.
CB30 / “Don’t Say Goodnight”
Writers: Christian Clementi/Dallas Wilson/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Buena Vista/UMG
–The wafting, boyish, romantic vibe is pleasing, and their twin-like vocal harmony blend is outstanding. The duo’s billing is derived from the brothers’ first names, Christian and Brody (Clementi), plus the fact that they were both born on the 30th day of the month (May 30, 2001 and March 30, 2004, respectively).
DREW PARKER / “Raised Up Right”
Writers: Drew Parker/Matt Jenkins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Phil O’Donnell/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Frequent Luke Combs songwriting collaborator Drew Parker has also been making waves as a record maker. His engaging, country boy tenor drawl is warm and endearing on this earthy, positive ditty. He sounds like he’d be a pleasure to have a beer with.
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