5 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Morgan Wallen, Sierra Ferrell, Brett Eldredge & More

In this week’s batch of new releases, Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper Morgan Wallen issues a tender ballad, while crooner Brett Eldredge releases a new, non-holiday track. Also featured in this week’s new releases are fresh music from Americana queen Sierra Ferrell, country group Restless Road, and bluegrass luminary Becky Buller.

Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of the best country songs of the week below.

Morgan Wallen, “Smile”

Nineteen-time Billboard Music Awards winner Wallen gave fans a surprise on New Year’s Eve, releasing the introspective ballad “Smile.” Written by Wallen along with Rocky Block, John Byron, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak and Luis Witkiewitz, the song finds Wallen singing about having a photo taken at a bar with a lover, knowing that his lover’s bright smile “was only for the picture” — and far from representative of their crumbling relationship. Still, seeing his lover’s smile elicits memories of their happier times together. Melodically, this pensive, pop-tinged ballad makes the most of Wallen’s polished falsetto and heartfelt vocal rendering. The song’s breakup-centered lyrics build upon his recent hits, “Lies, Lies, Lies” and “Love Somebody.”

Brett Eldredge, “Gorgeous”

Eldredge marks the second release on his own Warm and Cozy Records with the lush, pop-leaning uptempo track, “Gorgeous.” The track is stratified with vocal harmonies, melding for a gospel-tinged choral sound that elevates the composition’s uplifting lyrics of praise and admiration for a significant other–even when they are seemingly at their lowest points. As always, Eldredge relates the song’s message with his nimble, soulful vocal rendering. The song is Eldredge’s first non-holiday music since 2022’s Songs About You, and is a welcome return from this gifted singer-songwriter.

Sierra Ferrell, “The Garden”

Sierra Ferrell’s intricate songwriting, exuberant performance style and signature musicianship have made quickly established her one of the most heralded artists in Americana, bluegrass and folk music over the past few years, and she continued amassing accolades in 2024, including taking home the artist of the year and album of the year (Trail of Flowers) at the Americana Music Awards. She’s also nominated for several Grammys at the upcoming ceremony, including best Americana album (Trail of Flowers). She previews the upcoming deluxe version of her Trail of Flowers album (out Jan. 31 on Rounder Records) by offering up an expanded arrangement of her song “The Garden.” The new arrangement is bolstered by layers of piano, pedal steel and stringwork, all framing Ferrell’s distinct voice.

Restless Road, “Work on Me”

Tender piano highlights this trio’s flawless harmonies and individual vocal talents, as Restless Road’s Zach Beeken, Garrett Nichols and Colton Pack release their latest song, centered on someone who realizes they are far from perfect, but are inspired by love to make better life choices and embark on a journey of building better habits. Written by Restless Road, Jacob Davis and Joe Fox, this powerful, pop-inflected ballad marks an auspicious musical start for the new year.

Becky Buller, “Reach”

Bluegrass vocalist/fiddle player/songwriter Buller teams here with her fellow First Ladies of Bluegrass members (who each became the first woman to win IBMA Awards in their respective instrumental categories): banjoist Alison Brown, mandolin player/vocalist Sierra Hull, bassist Missy Raines and guitarist/vocalist Molly Tuttle. Together, they construct this fleet-fingered, female-led, and harmony-heavy anthem about balancing ambition with contentment, while continually pushing forward with new personal challenges. Though a new single from Buller, “Reach” was written by rock group Orleans’ Johanna and John Hall, and previously recorded on New Grass Revival’s 1981 album Commonwealth.

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