This week's fresh tunes include a Post Malone/Blake Shelton collaboration, plus a great country barroom collaboration from Ella Langley and Riley Green, and a bluesy, pain-filled song from newcomer Kashus Culpepper.
Post Malone and Blake Shelton, “Pour Me a Drink”
Post Malone is currently continuing his reign atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs with his Morgan Wallen duet “I Had Some Help,” and from the sounds of his party-ready new Blake Shelton collab, he looks poised to repeat the his way to the top. This radio-friendly track finds him ready to eschew various trials, from work-related stress to speeding tickets, in favor of Friday night plans with a stool and a heavy drink. Their voices pair powerfully, and it doesn't hurt that, amid country music's current nostalgic bent, the song is reminiscent of Shelton's middle-of-the-road songs that lit up country radio. “Pour Me a Drink” is from Post Malone's debut country album, F-1 trillion, released August 16.
Kashus Culpepper, “After Me?”
Recently signed to Big Loud Records, this Alabama native combines searing guitar and explosive vocal talent on this bruised testimony, as he sings helplessly as he watches his ex-lover marry someone else. He inhabits a country-blues amalgam in similar musical territory to country/Americana stalwarts like Marcus King and Chris Stapleton, while infusing his work with his distinctive, muscular, sandpapery growl. In the process, he joins a long list of artists who find lasting success with sounds that expand beyond the boundaries of mainstream country.
Ella Langley and Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me”
Langley leads the way in this cozy bar situation, launching into a spoken word verse about spotting a potential lover on the dance floor and boldly approaching him and making him a flirtatious proposition. Green follows by looking at the situation from the male perspective, before Langley takes the lead again, advising listeners to take their own romantic risks. Tuned guitar and saloon piano further fuel the song's bar vibe, while Langley and Green's country, confidence and humor make for a pair of aces. Green and Langley also wrote This Country with Aaron Raitiere.
Chase Rice, “Go Down Singin'”
In 2023, Rice reminded listeners that his songwriting skills extend beyond creating massive radio hits like Florida Georgia Line's hit “Cruise” or his own “Eyes on You” when he released the impressive his introverted work. I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell. Now newly independent after previously signing with BBR Music Group, he distills his journey from his early days in Nashville, to success, to starting out on his own, into just over three minutes of detailed history. He records his journey and the years he “left blood and sweat and tears up and down 16u Avenue,” before turning to his decision to strike out on his own as an independent artist, offering a clear understanding of the risks and rewards, but as he sings, “If I'm going down, at least I'm going down singing.” “
Tina Adair, “Let It Fall”
After time spent as a member of the family bluegrass band The Adairs, in addition to releasing a solo album and previously co-founding the bluegrass band Sister Sadie, Tina Adair returns with her latest from her upcoming solo set. This Sarah Siskind-penned song showcases Adair's dynamic, gospel-infused vocal turns while backing her flexible, powerful vocals with explosive instrumentation from guitarists Cody Kilby and Pat McGrath, banjoist Scott Vestal, mandolinist Seth Taylor, the fiddler-fiddler Root. Ickes and bassist Byron House, along with tightly woven harmonies from Wes Hightower. Her upcoming album follows in 2023 Here In My Heart.
Priscilla Block, “Bad Guy”
“Just About Over You” creator Block turns the typical anthems on its head with this new song, acknowledging that sometimes “the dagger is thrown from painted nails.” Block has a taste for a well-crafted phrase, and here she muses that there are times when the relational perpetrator “is a blue-eyed, dirty blonde.” This uptempo track also utilizes Block's elegant yet conversational vocal tone. Block collaborated with David Garcia, Cole Taylor and Trannie Anderson on the song, which is from Block's new five-song EP, PB2.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/country/new-country-songs-post-malone-blake-shelton-1235715928/