By Eliana Fermi On Mount Pleasant, Kelsea Ballerini continues her evolution from polished hitmaker to emotionally fluent songwriter, delivering a six-song set that prioritizes clarity of feeling and solid singing. This is a refinement of Ballerini’s pop-country sound as the songs succeed because they trust intimacy, strong vocals, and storytelling that brings listeners into her … Read more
by Eliana Fermi Lauren Watkins’s sophomore album, In a Perfect World, opens not with bravado but with a whisper to pull you into her country charms. Having made her mark through The Heartbroken Record, a debut steeped in the ache of lost love, she now turns that same sharp lens toward acceptance, renewal, and the … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Shelby Means has spent the better part of the last decade building her reputation as a rock-solid bassist and harmony singer in other people’s bands. From her early tenure with Della Mae to her more recent years with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, she’s always been the anchor, the heartbeat beneath the … Read more
by Steph Cosme When Bobby Osborne passed in 2023, bluegrass lost one of its towering voices, and C.J. Lewandowski lost a mentor who shaped his musical identity. Keep On Keepin’ On is a project that reflects a legendary past and a vibrant future. Produced and shepherded by Lewandowski, this project preserves Osborne’s final mandolin recordings … Read more
by Eliana Fermi Megan Moroney’s momentum and musical persona have been grabbing attention since breaking through with Lucky and Am I Okay?. Moroney’s pop-country sound is at the forefront of Gen Z country storytelling, and she has a playful, poetic, and unapologetically personal style. “6 Months Later,” a post-breakup anthem, arrives as a teaser for her … Read more
by Eliana Fermi Hudson Westbrook’s new single “Sober” arrives with timing and intent. Released exactly one year after his debut single “Take It Slow,” the track positions the 20-year-old Texan as more than just a promising newcomer. It reveals him as a songwriter-producer with a keen sense of sonic identity and emotional pacing. “Sober” is … Read more
by Steph Cosme In the flickering warmth of American Legion Post 82, Nashville’s old hall became a time machine on April 7, 2024. No stage dressing, no trick of light, just two pickers, twenty traditional tunes, and a reverence for tradition so deep it resonates the floorboards. Live At The Legion brings these traditional songs … Read more
by Eliana Fermi Ryan Hurd’s sophomore album, Midwest Rock & Roll, is a collection of modern country rock with relatable storytelling. While the album’s title hints at a rugged, down-to-earth vibe, the music itself is far from simple. Hurd’s singing reveals a complex inner landscape of his honest lyrics, with his soulful vocals, expressive delivery, … Read more
by Eliana Fermi The Only Moment is another enjoyable album presenting Maya de Vitry’s ever-evolving journey as a songwriter and producer. Emerging from her roots with The Stray Birds, de Vitry has embraced a liberating new atmosphere of thoughtful lyrics and developing soundscapes to connect with the listener. The album’s title hints at its core philosophy: … Read more
Megan Moroney, Blue Christmas …duh Review by Eliana Fermi Megan Moroney, one of country music’s rising stars, delivers a fresh holiday offering with her EP, Blue Christmas …duh, produced by her frequent collaborator Kristian Bush. This three-song EP isn’t your typical festive fare; it’s a blend of honky-tonk charm and seasonal melancholy wrapped in Moroney’s Southern … Read more