Music News

In this most recent crop of new country releases, Charley Crockett issues a somber look at “the American Dream,” while Drew Parker draws on his traditional country roots. “Austin” hitmaker Dasha makes a bid for her latest hit with “Didn’t I,” while Russell Dickerson and Wynn Williams also offer up new music.

Check them out in our roundup below.

Charley Crockett, “America”

For years, musical troubadour and Americana Music Awards winner Crockett has crisscrossed the country, rising from busking on the streets of small towns to selling out headlining shows. Along the way, he’s gleaned keen perceptions from across America’s heartland, and he distills the stories and views into this swaggering, pleading track from his recently-released $10 Cowboy album. Soulful horns, bluesy guitar and Crockett’s distinct, commanding voice are front and center, adding a sonic lift to the song’s somber petition of a man who spends his days laboring in the fields and hopes to be seen and heard, and that the dreams that he’s toiled for will come to fruition. Another well-crafted, thoughtful outing from this musical luminary.

Drew Parker, “Tomorrow”

Georgia native Drew Parker is known for co-writing hits for Luke Combs (“Doin’ This”) and Jake Owen (“Homemade”), but for the past four years, he’s etched his own artist path as a singer-songwriter steeply influenced by traditional-minded country artists such as Alan Jackson and Ronnie Dunn. “Tomorrow” gleams with a radio-friendly, softly enhancing production, and lyrics packed with sentiments of gratitude for life and love, all led by Parker’s muscular twang, placing him squarely in the path of today’s new crop of country neo-traditionalists. “Tomorrow” is featured on Parker’s newly-released Warner Music Nashville project Camouflage Cowboy, which released July 12.

Dasha, “Didn’t I”

Dasha saw a surge in her pursuit of stardom this year with her boot-stomping, ex-lover-skewering sensation “Austin.” With her latest, “Didn’t I,” she’s out to prove she has plenty more ammo in her musical arsenal. This plucky mix of acoustic guitar and crisp production elevates the underlying tension in Dasha’s vocal, as she sings of a couple who toss aside their previous pledges to end the relationship, as neither can deny the mutual draw to one another during a boozy night of passion — or, as Dasha sings, “We’re backsliders/ Bad liars.” The production here is leaner and sparse when compared to “Austin,” but retains the dancefloor-ready (and TikTok-ready) grooves that pair deftly with the singer’s throaty, sultry voice. Dasha wrote the song with Ben Johnson and Emily Weisband, with production from Johnson.

Russell Dickerson, “Bones”

Tennessee native Dickerson is known for a string of No. 1 Country Airplay hits including “Love You Like I Used To” and his top 5 hit “God Gave Me a Girl.” He returns with this gracefully sung romantic vow of enduring devotion. On this personal track, he recounts key moments in his relationship with his wife Kailey, before asserting that his is a love that will last a lifetime. Dickerson wrote “Bones” with Chase McGill, Chris LaCorte and Parker Welling and seems aimed at further building his reputation as a top-notch vocalist and earnest songwriter.

Wynn Williams, “Country Therapy”

Texas native and former steer wrestler Williams has already released four projects to date and on his latest, brings a mesh of acoustic guitars and fiddle to this slice of ’90s country nostalgia, which he wrote with Ryan Tyndell and Jeff Hyde. He takes a respite from the workweek via what he calls “old-school country therapy”: enjoying fishing and the outdoors, or downing shots of liquor while absorbing classic country music at a local bar. Williams sings this lively honky tonk track with believability, while the swirling production makes this a summertime jam.