Here’s our pick of the top new Country and Americana releases for the week of 20/11/2020.
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!
Steve Earle & The Dukes – Harlem River Blues
Following the tragic death of Steve’s son, Justin Townes Earle, earlier this year, Steve has announced the release of J.T., an album of 10 songs written by Justin. The first release from this album is possibly Justin’s most famous song, Harlem River Blues. A rollicking version of the song, Steve brings his typical gravelly vocal and Irish-folk inspiration to this cover. The album from Steve Earle & the Dukes is released on 4th January 2021.
High Valley – Go Tell it On the Mountain
It’s been a decidedly Canadian flavoured week here at Six Shooter Towers and this new release from High Valley fits in nicely. Go Tell it On the Mountain is a fast-paced bluegrass jaunt from this duo, who we’ve seen over in the UK a few times before. Fiddles, banjo, double bass, it’s got everything you could want from a traditional country song. It won’t be the song that breaks them into the big time in country music, but it’s another solid effort from this band.
Clayton Smalley – Modern Day Merle
His new EP, Dirt Road Therapy, drops today and expect big things from this Californian, now Utah based artist. The song Modern Day Merle is a modern take on traditional country, think the likes of Aaron Watson and you’re somewhere near. We’ve reviewed the EP here, for even more about Clayton, you can also check out our interview with the man himself from earlier this week.
John Baumann – Texas Dead
Known to some as one-fifth of The Panhandlers, John Baumann is also a proficient artist in his own right. From his two-track EP released today, A/B Vol. 1, Texas Dead is a quiet and reflective song, driven along by an acoustic guitar and fiddle. For fans of Texas country, this one should go down a treat. We’re looking forward to more from John Baumann later this year.
Koe Wetzel – Cold & Alone
Wetzel drops his new album Sellout today and the Texas country artist simultaneously drops the song Cold & Alone. Wetzel is known for his expletive-ridden and often heavy-rock approach to country, but this song slows things down slightly and takes a more reflective approach. This is where I see Wetzel at his best, keep an eye out for an album review coming soon!
A couple from last week…
Luke Dick Feat. Dierks Bentley – Blazer
Talented songwriter Luke Dick has made a big impact on modern country music with song credits for Kip Moore (The Bull) and Dierks Bentley (Burning Man), and he brings in the latter for a guest vocal on this song. Bentley’s vocals are always welcome and he adds a little more country to a song that’ll have the purists asking that question… is it country?
Tim McGraw Feat. Midland – Redneck Girl
How many cowboy hats can you fit in one song? Tim McGraw featuring Midland will have a good crack at finding out. One of the new songs from McGraw’s McGraw Machine Hits: 2013-2019 (released today), it’s classic McGraw. A mid tempo number with a little extra organ and synth thrown in. McGraw and Mark Wystrach’s voices complement each other perfectly in a decent toe-tapper.
Logan Mize Feat. Alexandra Kay – Grew Apart
Logan Mize has been on the edge of a breakthrough for some time, a UK tour with LeAnn Rimes, appearances at C2C and a UK tour, he seems to always be on the edge of something. His last album Come Back Road was a favourite of ours, so we’re pleased to see him back with Grew Apart. Fancy a throwback? You can check out his 2019 interview with us here.