Each week the Wide Open Country staff rounds up our favorite newly released country and Americana songs. Here are five new songs we can't stop listening to this week.
"Who I Am," Kaylee Bell
New Zealander Kaylee Bell's hometown recollections aren't so different from those of her American-born pop-country contemporaries, which makes "Who I Am" comfortably familiar to quite a few radio hits. This song and "Keith," a tribute to homeland hero Keith Urban, position Bell for a well-earned shot at international recognition.
—Bobby Moore
"Message in a Bottle," Stoney LaRue
Steel guitar, honky-tonk piano and unquenchable sorrow mark Stoney LaRue's roots-bound new song "Message in a Bottle." It picks up the morning after a party song plays out and deals with the regret and guilt that follows when a lover gets fed up with erratic behavior. While most modern drinking songs sidestep the consequences of escapism, LaRue deals out the cold, hard truth. The song previews new album Onward, out this Friday (Nov. 1).
— Bobby Moore
"Some People Do," Old Dominion
Old Dominion follow in Alabama's footsteps as a country band with a knack for turning tender songs into hits. Take for example this gorgeous closing track for Old Dominion's new self-titled album. It went from a composition credited to producer Shane McAnally and fellow softie Thomas Rhett to a piano-led showpiece of Matthew Ramsey's emotive vocal delivery.
— Bobby Moore
"Whiskey in Your Water," Evan Felker
It's been five months since the Turnpike Troubadours announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus, but at least fans don't have to wait any longer to hear more of Evan Felker's heartfelt lyrics. Felker teamed with singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Carrie Rodriguez for "Whiskey in Your Water," which was recorded before the Troubadours' break. The song, recorded as part of Bruce Robison's The Next Waltz series, chronicles a stormy romance between two lovers on the run.
— Bobbie Jean Sawyer
"Don't Think Twice," Judy Blank
Dutch singer-songwriter Judy Blank sings a tender lullaby to anxious hearts on the sweet, gently rolling acoustic number "Don't Think Twice." The song is from Blank's album Morning After, which will be released in the U.S. this Friday (Nov. 1).
— Bobbie Jean Sawyer
Now Watch: Songs Every Bruce Robison Fan Knows By Heart
