ArtistDirect News
This Week in Country: New Singles and Albums from Rising Stars and Established Artists
Country music kept its pulse this week as a wave of new singles and album announcements spanned the spectrum from emerging voices to veteran stalwarts. The releases include Kinsley’s hard‑edge single “Whiplash,” The Deslondes’ fiddle‑rich “Hurt to Fall,” and Warren Zeiders’ gospel‑infused title track from his forthcoming album No Brakes, among others.
Rising singer‑songwriter Kinsley dropped “Whiplash,” a track that fuses her country storytelling roots with a rock‑inspired edge. She said the song reflects a lifelong love of rock, citing Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin as key influences. Devin Dawson and Josh Kerr produced the track, which follows Kinsley’s debut single “Pieces of Me.” Meanwhile, Riley Downing of Americana outfit The Deslondes issued “Hurt to Fall,” a fiddle‑laden study of trust and confidence that explores the dangers of becoming too comfortable when everything seems to be going well.
Warren Zeiders announced his third studio album, No Brakes, slated for release on September 25 through Warner Records. The title track, released today, was written by Zeiders, Beau Bailey, Jenna Johnson, VWillz and Jeff Garrison. It blends gospel harmonies with steel‑guitar licks to portray a relationship destined for a tumultuous fate yet bound by “no brakes.” The album will contain twelve tracks.
Country newcomer Julia Cole teamed with genre‑bending artist Breland for the duet “Loving Someone Like That.” The single is available on all major streaming platforms and showcases a blend of Cole’s country sensibility with Breland’s eclectic style. At the same time, breakout country artist Owen Riegling released “Men Into Boys.” Co‑written with Ryan Kennedy and produced by Oscar Charles, the track was recorded at Mighty Rose Sound in Franklin, Tennessee, and reflects on the enduring camaraderie of friends who have grown older but still share the same stories and habits.
Nashville singer‑songwriter CJ Solar and The Old Souls dropped “Done Did It,” a fast‑paced swampy barroom anthem that carries the swagger of a backwoods juke joint and the soul of Louisiana. Multi‑platinum chart‑topper Nate Smith returned with “Find Me In A Bar,” a hard‑hitting post‑breakup anthem accompanied by an official visualizer that documents a haze of whiskey and regret. On‑the‑rise country artist Myles Morgan issued “Road Sign,” a track about moving past memories and hoping to find direction; Morgan described the song as a metaphor for driving away from the past.
Country superstar Lauren Alaina released “Never Been In Love (feat. Kane Brown)” from her forthcoming album Stages, set for release on August 28. The collaboration with Kane Brown adds a contemporary pop‑country flavor to Alaina’s catalog. Gavin Adcock announced his new studio album, The Day I Hang It Up, scheduled for release on October 2; the title track, released today, marks the first single from the project.
Mae Estes delivered “The 90s Called,” a half‑comedic, half‑throwdown track that references classic country acts such as Brooks & Dunn, Conway Twitty, Billy Ray Cyrus and Alan Jackson. Estes cited her early radio listening experiences as a key influence. Multi‑platinum country artist and songwriter Niko Moon released his album ROOTS, described as his most personal project to date and a return to the people, places, stories and sounds that shaped him. Brooke Lee’s new single “Driver Drive” is a late‑night, backseat narrative about chasing a fleeting moment with someone new; the track is flirty and slightly reckless, capturing the thrill of holding onto a good feeling.
These releases illustrate the breadth of contemporary country music, from rock‑inflected storytelling to traditional Americana and modern pop‑country collaborations. The week’s output showcases both emerging voices and established artists continuing to produce fresh material for listeners. Industry watchers will track how these singles perform on streaming platforms and radio, and how the upcoming albums—particularly Zeiders’ No Brakes and Alaina’s Stages—will shape the genre’s trajectory in the coming months.
Rising singer‑songwriter Kinsley dropped “Whiplash,” a track that fuses her country storytelling roots with a rock‑inspired edge. She said the song reflects a lifelong love of rock, citing Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin as key influences. Devin Dawson and Josh Kerr produced the track, which follows Kinsley’s debut single “Pieces of Me.” Meanwhile, Riley Downing of Americana outfit The Deslondes issued “Hurt to Fall,” a fiddle‑laden study of trust and confidence that explores the dangers of becoming too comfortable when everything seems to be going well.
Warren Zeiders announced his third studio album, No Brakes, slated for release on September 25 through Warner Records. The title track, released today, was written by Zeiders, Beau Bailey, Jenna Johnson, VWillz and Jeff Garrison. It blends gospel harmonies with steel‑guitar licks to portray a relationship destined for a tumultuous fate yet bound by “no brakes.” The album will contain twelve tracks.
Country newcomer Julia Cole teamed with genre‑bending artist Breland for the duet “Loving Someone Like That.” The single is available on all major streaming platforms and showcases a blend of Cole’s country sensibility with Breland’s eclectic style. At the same time, breakout country artist Owen Riegling released “Men Into Boys.” Co‑written with Ryan Kennedy and produced by Oscar Charles, the track was recorded at Mighty Rose Sound in Franklin, Tennessee, and reflects on the enduring camaraderie of friends who have grown older but still share the same stories and habits.
Nashville singer‑songwriter CJ Solar and The Old Souls dropped “Done Did It,” a fast‑paced swampy barroom anthem that carries the swagger of a backwoods juke joint and the soul of Louisiana. Multi‑platinum chart‑topper Nate Smith returned with “Find Me In A Bar,” a hard‑hitting post‑breakup anthem accompanied by an official visualizer that documents a haze of whiskey and regret. On‑the‑rise country artist Myles Morgan issued “Road Sign,” a track about moving past memories and hoping to find direction; Morgan described the song as a metaphor for driving away from the past.
Country superstar Lauren Alaina released “Never Been In Love (feat. Kane Brown)” from her forthcoming album Stages, set for release on August 28. The collaboration with Kane Brown adds a contemporary pop‑country flavor to Alaina’s catalog. Gavin Adcock announced his new studio album, The Day I Hang It Up, scheduled for release on October 2; the title track, released today, marks the first single from the project.
Mae Estes delivered “The 90s Called,” a half‑comedic, half‑throwdown track that references classic country acts such as Brooks & Dunn, Conway Twitty, Billy Ray Cyrus and Alan Jackson. Estes cited her early radio listening experiences as a key influence. Multi‑platinum country artist and songwriter Niko Moon released his album ROOTS, described as his most personal project to date and a return to the people, places, stories and sounds that shaped him. Brooke Lee’s new single “Driver Drive” is a late‑night, backseat narrative about chasing a fleeting moment with someone new; the track is flirty and slightly reckless, capturing the thrill of holding onto a good feeling.
These releases illustrate the breadth of contemporary country music, from rock‑inflected storytelling to traditional Americana and modern pop‑country collaborations. The week’s output showcases both emerging voices and established artists continuing to produce fresh material for listeners. Industry watchers will track how these singles perform on streaming platforms and radio, and how the upcoming albums—particularly Zeiders’ No Brakes and Alaina’s Stages—will shape the genre’s trajectory in the coming months.