Following the success of 2015’s Grammy-nominated, Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church had some major shoes to fill. When you release an album as well-rounded and captivating as Mr. Misunderstood was, it’s hard to produce a worthy follow-up. Though I wouldn’t go as far as to say it is as good as the masterpiece that Mr. Misunderstood is, Desperate Man is certainly flirting with it. In Desperate Man, Church delivered something that was severely missing in his 2021 Heart & Soul project. That is the cynicism and overall maturity that was shown in both Desperate Man and Mr. Misunderstood. Though it may…
Author: Brennen Kelly
Brennen Kelly
Hailing from the Chicagoland area, Brennen graduated from Valparaiso University with a BA in Communication and a minor in Cinema and Media Studies. After covering Arts & Entertainment at his university's newspaper, he began writing for Country Chord in March of 2023. Known for his love of independent country and authentic songwriters, Brennen has a long-history of championing the likes of Zach Bryan, Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers and many others.
It’s no secret that Zach Bryan is the hottest star in country music right now. From scoring #1’s to crashing Ticketmaster, everything he touches turns to gold. With the recent release of his self-titled album back in August, it’s the perfect time to rank his first four full-length records. This, of course, will exclude his three EPs, Quiet, Heavy Dreams, Summertime Blues, and the most recent, Boys of Faith. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the dark, beautiful world of Zach Bryan. 4. Elisabeth I should preface this placement by saying that I don’t think Bryan has made a…
After a massive New Music Friday last week that included releases from some of the brightest and biggest stars in Zach Bryan, Charles Wesley Godwin and Megan Moroney, I thought this week may have been a bit of a letdown. I couldn’t be farther from the truth with that assumption. Though there aren’t many full album/EP releases, there are still plenty of singles to satisfy independent and mainstream fans alike. Mornings With You – Flatland Cavalry feat. Kaitlin Butts While I don’t think Mornings With You will ever reach the popularity of their first collaboration, A Life Where We Work…
Flatland Cavalry has quickly risen through the ranks, becoming one of the hottest independent groups in the entire genre lately. From their inclusion inYellowstone to their appearances on Luke Combs’ 2023 tour, the Texas band has firmly cemented themselves as a premiere group in any of country’s many subgenres. Once again, they are collaborating with Kaitlin Butts, wife of frontman Cleto Cordero. They wasted no time announcing the release of the song, posting a teaser on Monday before making a formal indication of the song’s release on Wednesday. This marks the third time Butts has collaborated with Flatland on a…
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, Family Ties. 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…
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…