The Country Drop Playlist ProfileAs we get closer to the pointy end of the year, there’s more and more great albums and tunes vying for position, along with some great new artists still fighting to get on the radar.
This week, there’s a great mix of both, including a tasty Tex-Mex morsel from Kacey Musgraves and Australia’s golden boy Mack Geiger. It’s also album week for Melanie Dyer, Brothers Osbourne and so much more, so let’s dive in!
Melanie Dyer - Country Enough
Aussie darling and now Nashville resident Melanie Dyer celebrates her album release today, and the new single Country Enough is a great flagship track. I caught her at this year’s CMA Fest, where she proved she’s become truly a world-class act. The lead-up singles haven’t had the flowers they deserve, so looking forward to the world getting behind the album. It’s definitely country enough.
Brothers Osbourne feat. Cody Johnson - Born & Raised Hell
Another band celebrating album day, and what better way to celebrate than to bring Cody Johnson along for the ride! This one’s the opener that hits you right between the eyes with shimmering guitar licks and unmistakable vocals, and leads you into what is an album well worth spending some time with this weekend.
Kacey Musgraves - Weekend In Texas
In a welcome but surprising move, Kacey has delivered a companion piece to her Middle of Nowhere album. Building on her Mexican Honey success, the album is out in January and features 14 tracks of tasty Tex-Mex. Today’s lead tune drop is a cracker. I’m off to Liquorland to grab a case of Corona for the weekend. Nos vemos!
Mack Geiger - How It Ends
Still riding high on String By, Queenslander Mack Geiger has delivered another new tune into the zeitgeist this week: How It Ends. A low-tempo ballad that showcases his distinctive vocals around minimalist instrumentation, this one will capture your ears and heart in one fell swoop.
Ryan and Rory - Rock In The River
Another CMA Fest discovery for me, Ryan and Rory are the real deal. This tune is a total banger with a soaring chorus that proves these guys not only have the vocal chops, but also know how to write a song.
The gospel-influenced pop track is easily worth your time. The album doesn’t hit until January, but there’s a bunch of songs already there for your discovery pleasure. You’ll be hearing so much more from these guys.
Fanny Lumsden feat. Paul Kelly - By The River
We’re loving rivers this week. Next week is album drop day for Fanny, and this one’s commandeered the king of Australian songwriting to come along for the ride. An understated and sweet banjo-led folk tune, from black snakes to blackberries to skimming stones, the song is literally dripping with the essence of Australia. You’re so close to sitting on the bank with them passing the time away you can almost feel the sun on your skin.
Jake Davey - Wildside
It’s EP day for Jake Davey, and we’re stoked to see such an accomplished set. He’s Mr Everywhere in Aussie music, and it’s finally time for him to step up and accept the flowers. This opening track is a mid-tempo country banger that easily equals anything Nashville has to offer this week.
Piper Butcher - Lovers Lane
Another Aussie dropping her EP this week, Lovers Lane is actually the closer for Piper Butcher. The fact that such an accomplished tune can be relegated to the last track tells you everything you need to know about the strength of the record. Get amongst it!
Bella McCormick - Dandy
Nashville songwriter Bella McCormick has hit gold with this cracking lyrical country tune exploring getting screwed over by a guy while keeping a brave poker face. The imagery of running into your ex's mum and explaining how fine you are while being quietly still devastated in a rollicking fun song is smart, funny and everything you want in great songwriting. Easily one of the best songs dropping this week.
NEEDTOBREATHE - Never Gonna Deserve Ya feat. Evan Honer
With a multi-decade career straddling the folk, gospel and rock scenes, in the last couple of years NEEDTOBREATHE have leaned into country and on their new album The Long Surrender and the Fellow Passengers of Pain, have finally taken the leap and described their genre with the ‘c’ word. This tune features Evan Honer and there’s other collabs on the record (which lands in November) with Red Clay Strays and many more. These guys know how to write a great song, and this is one.
