It’s been a minute! Between moving house, changing careers, life, death and just about everything in between, something had to give. But we’re back – just about. And what better way to return than with a brand new country music playlist?!   a summer playlist 2022 already feels a decade long, and what I wanted more than anything when I put this together was some summer jams.  So this is a quintessential summer playlist made up of brand new country songs – all hitting the airwaves this summer. Find the full playlist here   songs of the summer: the highlights In previous play ..read more

UK-based Canadian country artist Tara Henton will celebrate this year’s Canada Day with the release of her new single, Fishin’ For Your Love. Born and raised in a small lakeside city in Ontario, Canada, Henton absorbed her father’s love for the iconic sounds of Nashville – and for fishing.   “I have so many wonderful memories of fishing with my family as a child and it’s a huge part of our way of life,” Tara explains. “I’m a Kenora girl through and through, and although I live on the other side of the pond now, I haven’t forgotten my roots!”   This is another in a long line of ..read more

Cool is the debut single from country music’s hottest new duo, KIRWAN the band. A husband and wife team, the pair were both born in the north of Ireland – but individually made their way to Nashville, where they met – of course – in an Irish pub.   Colm’s resume boasts a friendship with country music legend Don Williams, with whom he toured for many years, whilst Caitriona has opened shows for Van Morrison and is a Pannarts Songwriting Competition winner. That competition win led her to Music City, where she performed at the Bluebird Cafe. The pair married in 2020 in their native Ireland ..read more

Last month, New York-based artist Robbie Harte’s latest single, Too Pretty To Be Home went largely under the radar. But it’s an instant toe-tapper, with a smooth, vintage summer sound. Layer upon layer of guitar anchors an Eagles-esque sonic backdrop, atop which Harte’s rich, enthralling vocal sits.   You know when your plans are cancelled, and now you’re all dolled up with nowhere to go? That’s what this song was made for. It’s upbeat and a little cheeky – it’s a ‘put on your best dress and go out dancing’ kind of song. It’s immediately fun and familiar; energetic and catchy with the per ..read more

It’s been a little while since we’ve had new music from Charlotte Young, but following her performance at last month’s Country on the Coast festival, the West Midlands native dropped her new single this morning – and it’s glorious.   One thing of note about this single – from a production standpoint – is that it was produced at NAM Studios by Tyler Spicer. This is significant because Spicer is a bassist – and it shows. The bass is prominent in this mix without being overwhelming, and it’s interesting without detracting from the lead instruments. It’s an under-utilised instrument in modern ..read more

Whether in a theatre or a dive bar, Vicki Manser can usually be found on the stage. A known name in musical theatre, she has performed in London’s West End and around the UK in touring productions – and can be found later this year performing at the UK’s Buckle and Boots festival.   Her debut single Pick Me Up went to #1 on the UK iTunes country music charts, and the following four singles produced three more chart-toppers. Her latest single, Fly, looks set to continue the trend with its slick, bright production by Tim Prottey-Jones. The song itself is rock-inspired with wailing guit ..read more

Massachusetts-born and Nashville-based, Morgan Johnston is a rising star in country music. Her new single The End is already receiving plenty of attention and favourable reviews with a viral TikTok video and an airing on the ‘Nights With Elaina’ radio show as host Elaina Smith’s ‘TikTok Pick Of The Week.’ Internationally, UK-based DJ Baylen Leonard has selected the track as his ‘spotlight single of the week’ on Absolute Country Radio. The End is one of four singles to be released this year, culminating in the release of a 7-song LP due in autumn.   Driven by strummed guitars and ..read more

In their first release of 2022, Chantelle and Chris of The Rising take us back in time to the early 2000s. When You Were Mine blends alt-rock guitar with the duo’s typically brutally honest storytelling – this time, the cautionary tale of how a one-night stand with a friend can change everything. It’s the first single from the upcoming full-length album – a Kickstarter campaign success due for release in a vinyl boxset later this year.   Known for allowing their stories to dictate their music – as opposed to making their music fit their genre – the duo surprise and delight with this pop/r ..read more

Formerly a solo artist and now leading her own band, chart-topping singer-songwriter Biddy Ronelle emerges with fresh wings as the frontwoman of Biddy & The Bullets. Not for the faint of heart, this new Americana-rock band is certain to raise an eyebrow or two – but with its southern rock sensibilities and Biddy’s signature soaring vocals, the band is sure to make quite the splash.   Dark Side explodes with a riff reminiscent of The Cadillac Three (and if you know me, you know I adore TC3 – so I’m happy as a pig in mud already).   ‘Come and take my hand / I can help you understa ..read more

Just in time for the season, Craig Gould is to release his summer anthem Burned. A rousing, raucous folk anthem, Burned is the third and final single to be released before the debut album Songs From The Campfire lands this summer.   Much like his previous singles, Burned borrows heavily from traditional folk music to transport you straight to the bar. Close your eyes and turn up the volume to see, hear, smell and taste the story from both sides. It’s energetic and rich with a pounding persistence throughout the rhythm section and eloquent layering of bright guitar and ..read more