5 New Country Songs You Must Hear: Zach Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Midland and more

This week's new stack of country music features a new one from prolific Zach Bryan, plus new songs from Jamey Johnson, Midland, 49 Winchester and Shaylen.

Zach Bryan, “Pink Skies”

The prolific Bryan is known for releasing music sporadically, with little to no progress on an album in terms of promotional singles (think his previous self-titled LP and his Billboard Hot 100 collaboration with Kacey Musgraves “I Remember Everything,” which released for the first time as part of the album). But as he releases his new song, “Pink Skies,” stadium boss Bryan has taken to social media to note that a new project is coming soon. The Great American Bar Scene.

The harmonica-driven, acoustic-guitar track – which Brian previewed on social media under the title “Elegy” – describes the preparation for a funeral, but in true Brian fashion, imbues his lyrics with a melancholic tone with commanding percussion , taking off sadness. singalong status from the crowd. A collection of memories weave together as Brian sings to the family's departed patriarch with lyrics like: “You'd be proud/But you'd think they're yuppies/Your funeral was beautiful/I bet God heard you coming.” The new song looks poised to become another fan favorite, cementing Bryan's current ranking as a premier purveyor of conversational, poetic heart rock.

Jamey Johnson, “21 Guns”

Jamie Johnson releases his first new music in nearly a decade, turning his powerful songwriting talent and soaring voice to pay tribute to members of the military who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Johnson wrote the song with Jim “Moose” Brown, inspired by the funerals Johnson (who served in the US Marines for nearly a decade) attended for many of his colleagues whose lives were cut short. The song depicts attending a service for a fallen comrade, as the preacher delivers the eulogy and the soldier receives a customary 21-gun salute, before Johnson goes straight for heart-wrenching truths in the line “Rifles are firing and your life is flashing right before my eyess,” adding, “I don't need no one to tell me you're a hero/Hell I knew it since I was young.”

Johnson, one of the leading songwriters of this generation, won two CMA Awards for Song of the Year for his work on “Give It Away” and “In Color.” Here, he offers his masterful pen and raspy vocal in service to the memory of his colleagues, telling the truth with graceful grace.

Midland, “Old Fashioned Feeling”

The Texas-formed trio return with their first new music since 2022 with this sumptuous slow-burn recorded at Savannah, Georgia's Georgia Mae Studios, produced by Dave Cobb. Lead singer Mark Wystrach depicts dealing with the last throes of a burned-out relationship by turning to a dimly lit bar, a heavy drink and a series of memories. The track is full of old-school country sounds, spearheaded by the trio's harmonies, which are as smooth and warm as any top-shelf bourbon.

49 Winchester, “Fast Sleep”

Sextet 49 Winchester dusts off one of the group's earliest songs and revives it with the help of the Prague-based Czech National Symphony Orchestra. The song opens instrumentally, with little more than acoustic guitar and lead singer Isaac Gibson's vocals, depicting the struggle and resolution of romantic ties, before the rest of the band and orchestra join in on the choruses, with the orchestra adding further weight. to the fine exemplary musicianship of the band. The song is included on the group's upcoming album Leaving this Hollerout August 2, via New West Records.

Shaylen, “Let Me Let You”

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, raised in Dallas, this singer-songwriter deftly blends elements of country, soul and punk on this new track. Shaylen wrote this piece with Brett Tyler and Lindsay Rimes, projecting the angst of someone trying to pick up the pieces of a broken relationship and move on to a new chapter in life, only to find her ex keeps showing up at her door. “When it's 2 am I'm missing again/ Why do you have to let me know?” she sings Shailene's powerful, confident vocals have a punk edge and ripple over the sophisticated country-pop construction of risque rock guitar, explosive percussion and a chorus designed to get the audience singing along.