Here are some of the top new releases for the week of 24/04/2020.
All of this week’s new tracks are also on our New Release Round-up 2020 playlist on Spotify, along with every other song we’ve included in this feature during the year so far. If you’re a Spotify user, give it a follow so you can keep up to date!
Lainey Wilson – Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone sees Lainey turn down the volume, lay down the sass and show her more open side. It’s an atmospheric track with a shuffling rhythm that both reflects and augments the lyrical themes of freedom and escape.
Drake White – All Would Be Right With The World
Who isn’t delighted to have a new release from Drake White? His Stars EP is released today and All Would Be Right With The World, the closing track is unashamedly nostalgic. This studio version of the song that first appeared on his live EP opens with chirping crickets and a vinyl record crackle before Drake paints his vision of heaven on earth with a laid back by the fire kinda vibe.
John Paul White & Rosanne Cash – We’re All In This Together Now
We might just see a slew of songs over the next few months inspired (if that’s the right word) by the effects of the current pandemic – but this isn’t one of them, despite the lyric being so fitting. It was actually written last year, Rosanne delivering the lyrics for John Paul to construct a melody around. Neither could find a place for it on their then upcoming albums, so the track has sat a while until it’s found its perfect time. They’ve released the song to raise money for the Music Health Alliance, a non-profit organization providing the music industry with healthcare advocacy through health insurance, healthcare resources and confidential guidance.
Flatland Cavalry – War With My Mind
Another track this week that aquires extra layers from the time in which it’s released. Cleto Cordero’s expression of the mind games he’s experienced during stop-start touring was recorded last year, but it finds an extra audience with listeners dealing with their own anxieties during COVID-19. Despite the serious content, the waltz time tempo, traditional arrangement and the pitch of Cleto’s vocal all keep the song feeling light on its feet.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Dreamsicle
Moving on (a little) from “the virus” now… Jason Isbell announced this week that he was releasing his new album Reunions to independent record stores 1 week ahead of general release. It’s a thoughtful statement in support of small businesses many of which will be struggling right now. Dreamsicle takes a child’s perspective of dealing with family breakdown.
Hayes Carll – Times Like These (Acoustic)
A track that originally featured on Carll’s 2019 album What It Is, presented here not just stripped down but also slowed down. The change in pace gives the message of the lyrics room to breathe which suits, given that it’s very much a message song. Again, not a response to current events but it’s a cut that takes on extra resonance in “times like these”.
Dalton Domino – We’re All Gonna Die
After releasing a new album last year, there’s been some question over where Dalton Domino has been headed – even talk about him walking away from the music industry. Then he goes and releases a new album this month, Feverdreamer, its 9 tracks showing no sign of a lack of commitment or desire to step away. Album opener We’re All Gonna Die is one of the tracks in this week’s roundup that definitely isn’t a comment on the state of affairs but it is a playfully fatalistic, jolly thing that just might hit the right tone to lift your spirits.
Will Hoge – The Curse
Will Hoge releases his 11th album Tiny Little Movies in June this year, and The Curse is the first track to drop from it. An anthemic Tom Petty style vocal line rides over a driving rhythm and classic heartland rock guitars. “I can still get better | But I’ve sure been worse | Maybe you’re the one, maybe you’re the one to break the curse | ‘Cos I’m better than you found me”