Author: Brennen Kelly

The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning orange, football is back and the weather is turning colder. The blood rush of the summer is over, and it’s time to get back into the quiet, reflective months of the fall and winter. The changing of the seasons also comes with the changing of listening patterns. That means a fall playlist is an essential thing to have, other than a flannel, of course. To me, the perfect fall playlist is a contemplative one. Reflective songs about past relationships, family and football, of course, are an absolute must. Here are 10…

What a day for new music. Independent country fans are eating well this week with new releases from some of the best and brightest stars the genre has to offer. From the highly anticipated, major label debut from Charles Wesley Godwin to a surprise EP from Zach Bryan to Sam Barber’s debut EP, this Friday, September 22, has been one of the most exciting weeks of music all year. The week has been so packed that I decided to highlight more than five of the most exciting releases this Friday had to offer. Another Leaf – Charles Wesley Godwin It…

It’s been years in the making for independent country fans, but the day is finally here. Charles Wesley Godwin is back with his first major label album. It’s no secret that Godwin is one of the fastest rising stars in the entire genre. Between signing a record deal with Big Loud back in March and touring with Zach Bryan for the better part of two years, Godwin’s steady rise in the genre has been a fun one to watch. Many independent country fans have been patiently waiting for the Temporary Town singer to reach the heights of fellow indie giants,…

It’s finally Friday, and that means one thing: new country music. From deluxe editions of albums to singles and brand-new projects, this Friday, September 15, has plenty to offer from a wide range of different artists. Cherokee Rose – Colby Acuff Cherokee Rose is an absolute heart-wrencher, depicting the story of a man reminiscing about his late wife, the titular “Cherokee Rose.” Acuff’s storytelling ability shines here. He packs the track with incredibly detailed imagery/phrases such as “with aging eyes as misty as an early morning dew” and “then we sat there in silence as he held hands with her…

Back in June, Colby Acuff released his highly anticipated, Western White Pines. The album was received well by critics and fans alike, prompting the If I Were the Devil singer to release an extra six songs. Acuff took to Instagram on August 18th to announce the release of the deluxe edition to his fourth studio album. The post expressed his entire vision for the Western White Pines project as a whole. “‘Western White Pines’ is s [a] project that started a little over a year ago and is a task that I have put my life into making. The project…

After months of speculation, tweets, retractions and false release dates, Zach Bryan has finally released his highly-anticipated follow-up to 2022’s American Heartbreak. Coming only a year after the self-titled and independently produced record, Zach Bryan marks the fourth full-length album from the Something in the Orange singer and his second major label album with Warner. Zach Bryan ultimately feels like a unique blend of the low-fi nature of his independently released records, DeAnn and Elisabeth and the professionally produced, heartland sound of his most recent releases. Tracks such as Smaller Acts and Summertime’s Close feel as if they’re ripped straight…