Jill & Julia first came to the attention of many radio listeners in 2014 with their first single "Wildfire." Now the duo are ready to make a bigger impact with their latest EP Cursed (Lamon Records), which released on February 10th. 

Much like the black and white cover art, Cursed has an overall brooding tone with haunting melodies that are on full display beginning with the opening track, "Sounds." The four other originals, all written by the siblings, showcase their lovely, dynamic harmonies alongside an entrancing sound slightly reminiscent of The Cranberries.  "Smoke and Mirrors" with its plucky banjo, might be the most up tempo song, but deals with the complexities in relationships as does the piano laden "Trance."

In addition to the five originals, including their current single "Cursed," the EP includes two covers, "Achy Breaky Heart" (yes, that one) and Lorde's "Royals." Both are unexpected, stripped down takes on the popular songs that makes each a fresh new listen.

Jill & Julia have a distinctive and intriguing sound, much different than what you are currently hearing on terrestrial radio. If you are looking for something different in a sea of much of the same, look no further than Cursed.

Purchase Cursed here

During his career, Oklahoma native turned Texan Jon Wolfe has garnered six consecutive top ten singles. His previous release It All Happened in A Honky Tonk made him one of the must see live acts in the Texas music scene. Wolfe is a singer songwriter who is country to the core-something that is on display in his highly anticipated new album, Natural Man, set for release March 31st. 

Produced by Wolfe, Lex Lipsitz and Billy Decker, the album contains thirteen tracks, including leadoff single the instantly catchy "Smile On Mine," which have a modern energy without sacrificing tradition. In addition to the instrumentation and storytelling, Wolfe’s voice is classic, strong, believable and warm--enveloping you as you listen. 

From the first song, “If You're Lonely Too,” an up-tempo tune about spending some time with a woman even if it's just for a little while, to the last, the record will grab your ears (and toes for tapping) for an uninterrupted listen. Many of the tracks deal with love: whether it's just for one dance (“It Just Feels Right”), declaring your feelings to the whole town (“That’s what I’m Talkin’ About") or promising to always be there for her "like a Bible on the nightstand" in the title track. 

The image of a perfect southern summer evening sitting on a porch swing with “two hearts thumping like a bass drum drumming all night” is on perfect display in "Don't It Feel Good," while “She Beats All I’ve Ever Seen” is a feel good song about how all of the worldly experiences can't match the sight of the one he loves. 

The record also deals with the end of relationships. In “Outrun Her Memory” it's the inability to forget someone no matter how far he goes. "She's like a ghost that haunts me everywhere I go" while in “I’m Doin’ Alright” he has a new job, a new bachelor pad and he's doin' alright (or so he says) "except for the whiskey in my life/except for the lonely I feel every night/except for the way I miss holding you tight/except for the way I don’t sleep anymore since that day you walked out my door." Finally, in "Married to Nothin'," he warns the ladies not to get too attached because he's a wanderer, "a memory in the making" who lives by the motto "easy come easy go." "I'd love to promise you everything, but girl I know what's coming, I ain't married to nothin'."

Two standout tracks are “Singin’ Thing” and "When I Get To Heaven." The former is a gentle guitar ballad in which he reflects on falling in love with this "singin' thing" and his sometimes surprising journey chasing his dreams. The latter, and closing track, is an ode to all he loves about country music from the steel guitars, and fiddles to the honky tonks and how when he's called to Heaven, he hopes those things are there too.

Natural Man will surely garner Wolfe additional top ten singles on the Texas charts, but it is an album that would be a welcome addition to mainstream radio as well. 

Natural Man is available for pre-order here and will be available for pre-order at digital retailers on March 3rd

Regardless of genre, good music is good music, and Taylor Locke’s latest, Time Stands Still, which was released on February 23rd, is just that: a record you shouldn’t let pass by your ears. 

Time Stands Still is the first solo offering from the ex-Rooney guitarist and vocalist and despite its title, the record is "a testament to creative momentum and personal growth." Locke deals with the themes of love, heartache, and nostalgia in well-constructed, honest songs whose lyrics are detailed, emotional, introspective and yes, relatable. Sonically, the record blends various genres into an appealing, almost timeless listen.

Smart lyrics and a melody, simultaneously sad and uplifting, are combined in lead track “Burbank Woman" about a demise of a relationship. “Deep in her heart there was a valley and no free way to get there/Never mind the miles and my persistence/She was gonna keep me at a distance.”

With its acoustic introduction and light 80's pop feel “The Game” compares (the end) of a relationship to a game of cards. "She would be my queen of hearts I would be her ace/We had all the luck two people need but she didn’t know to take, take a chance on me/She's giving me the game now, leaving while she's up and I'm doubling down."

Personal favorite “So Long” is just a massively infectious tune that you'll have on repeat. "You're keeping me waiting while you're hesitating for so long (so long)/Why would you wanna resist/You better be quick or you'll miss it/Never forget it you're gonna regret it for so long.” While the harmonies and thumping drum beat in “Running Away From Love” (about just that) convey the need for independence. “I wanna be free to do what I need to do changing with the wind.”

In “Don’t Be A Stranger,” with its crunchy guitar solo, he questions why a relationship ended and wonders if they can begin again. "Maybe I was young and crazy chasing all my demons down/But I still believe that you could save me, can we just start over now/Just start over now."

“Time Stands Still” and "Going Going Gone" both reflect on youthful stardom. The former is sparse and folk-like, sad and hopeful “It's a late in the game for fanning the flame, the wind is gonna blow it out anyway” while the latter takes a more melodically breezy approach. "Time moves on but the dream keeps going/I'm one step behind it/I don't really mind."  

“Call Me Kuchu,” a 100% rock number, the post-breakup how to "The Art of Moving On" and the thoughtful, interestingly arranged "No Dice" round out the record. 

Taylor Locke's Time Stands Still is definitely a different album for this site to review, but one that is well on its way to being one of my favorites of the year so far. Quite simply, if you appreciate well written songs, catchy hooks and somber melodies, then keep an open mind (and ears) and pick up Time Stands Still.

Purchase Time Stands Still here

The Cheaters', Jason Morton and Brett Wilmer, latest single is the play on words "She Got A Way." The song, written by the duo, along with Preston Brust and Chris Lucas (from LoCash), as well as Scott Hommel and Phil Barton is from their 2014 release Waitin' On Right Now.

Originally from Maryland, "She Got A Way" was the first song the duo wrote after moving to Nashville, and they admit it was a completely different writing experience than what they were used to. The finished product though is a song with an easy to fall into, smooth groove about a pretty perfect gal who has a guy wrapped around her finger. The scaled back acoustic beginning as well as their harmonies make this debut single a nice introduction to their sound.


"She's got a smile like a sunshine
Down for a good time
Once in a lifetime
She got a way
She's that place where I wanna go
So, so beautiful
Only one I wanna hold"

Jordyn Stoddard may only be sixteen years old, but she already has years of singing, playing her turquoise guitar and songwriting under her belt. She has shared the stage with The Gatlin Brothers, Easton Corbin, and Sundy Best, among others. In the summer of 2014 Stoddard teamed up with Grammy Award winning Producer David Hall to record her debut album, Southern Tide, which will be released in March. One of the songs from that record, "Like Me 'Til You Love Me," is preparing to hit radio waves as her first single.

The melody of "Like Me 'Til You Love Me" is the perfect way to transition from the winter doldrums to the fresh feel of springtime. The song has an obvious youthful mood, but the message of taking a chance on love-because you never know what can happen-is most certainly universally relatable. There is an interesting spoken word portion around the two minute mark, but it's rather short and, while surprising, doesn't detract from the overall song and Stoddard's on target vocals.

"Let's roll until we start rocking
Let's float until we start falling
You never know just maybe
You like me 'til you love me baby"

Purchase "Like Me 'Til You Love Me" here

Hailing from Georgia, newcomer Ty Bates released his self titled debut EP in 2014. His latest single from the project is entitled “Runnin’.” The song is about the demise of a relationship, not because of the usual culprits, but because “she was lonely for too long and I didn’t see it coming.” Bates’ vocals convey the sorrow and regret of a man who was blindsided to learn of her unhappiness. Even though it is a mid-tempo tune, it’s a story song that evokes sadness because it reaffirms that it really is the simple things, like time and attention, that make a relationship.....well, a relationship.

“Didn’t see the warnings of a woman who was letting me know
She was moving on
I didn’t have some woman on the side
Wasn’t telling her no lies
All she wanted was a little bit more of my time”


Purchase the single here

Nashville-based singer/songwriter and producer Trent Dabbs had an extremely successful year of music. He co-wrote six songs off Ingrid Michaelson’s latest release, Lights Out, including the hit single, “Girls Chase Boys" and his song “Don’t Put Dirt On My Grave” (co-written with Caitlyn Smith) was featured on ABC’s Nashville. On February 10th Dabbs will release his ninth album, Believer, via his own Ready Set Records. 

In contrast to much of the over processed music you hear on the radio today, Believer takes a back to basics approach and being so is simply a gift for the ears. The ten tracks on the record are many things: truthful, emotive, thoughtful, sparse and beautiful....all meaningfully conveyed by the instrumentation used, including piano, harmonica, and guitar. The collection can also be described as intimate--listening to Dabbs' gentle vocals you feel as if you are privy to his personal thoughts and experiences.

Asking whether something is worth pursuing, "Nature of the Beast" will transport you back to the folk era heyday while "Make A Believer," with its 80's pop sensibilities, delivers a message of finding encouragement and hope in relationships, even when you don't think there may be any remaining. "Doesn't matter what I've done/Doesn't matter what I do/Gonna, gonna make a believer out of you." 

Personal favorite "Nobody's Stranger Anymore" makes the heart ache as he sings “Old friends, old lovers some records skip more than others/It's the same song we're all looking for/To be nobody's stranger anymore.” Another beautiful track "Here on Earth" reminds us that our time here is short and we should say what we need to say to people before we lose them.

"For the Grace of You," which was also featured on ABC's Nashville, deals with second chances and the natural highs that accompany being in love, while "To My Girl," a ballad about "pledging allegiance" to the one you are with and not abandoning a relationship.

"World On Time" is as toe tapping as they come with female harmonies that express the sentiment of finding the right person and falling in love. "My soul it sings its own desires/It stands before the choir that you lead." Transgressions, confessions and apologies are the focus in the melancholy, piano centered ballad "Goes Without Saying." "Deliver me from all of my sins/From running away/'Cause I can't be saved with trangressions still on my lips."  The almost lullaby-esque "Say No More," about leaving this world, appropriately closes the album. "Let the angels take it from here."

Perhaps it may take you more than one listen to fully appreciate this album, but it will be time worth investing. Believer is a refreshing album that is indeed a lovely listen. 

Believer will be available February 10th
Purchase the album here

Originally from Alberta, Canada, Mandy McMillan is a Nashville based singer/songwriter who recently released her self-titled debut EP. The songs on the five track record deal with love, loss and taking chances and are delivered by a voice that effortlessly expresses them all.

The EP starts off with “Good Girls Don’t Kiss In Bars.” With its scaled down introduction one initially thinks it’s a ballad, but then the songs kicks into an up tempo fun, humorous country song with a catchy toe tappin’ melody. McMillan sings sweetly about being a good girl: “You can take me to a movie/Maybe buy me dinner/Boy I ain’t no saint/But mama didn’t raise no sinner/If you ask me for my number/You can walk me to my car/But good girls don’t kiss in bars.” But the boys needn’t worry as she later fills them in on where it is appropriate for good girls to kiss. Delightful tune.

The mid-tempo love song “Linger” is about wanting that moment to last, maybe not forever, but definitely a little bit longer. “Call My Name,” another love song, is a beautiful ballad about fondly remembering a young love. “We were young and went our separate ways/But I’d give anything to hear the words you used to say.”

Many people don’t take chances in love anymore out of a fear of the unknown and getting hurt. The easy cadence of “Geronimo” sends the message that we shouldn’t let those fears hold us back; open your heart and take a chance because if you don’t you’ll never know….and you might be pleasantly surprised. “I wanna dive right in/Sink or swim I gotta know/I’d rather die than live with more what ifs ready set go there’s a chance this might get messy but I’m ready to love you if you let me.”

The EP closes with the rocking anthem “Dust” about the demise of a relationship as a result of being wronged by the other person.  Initially, she wants to seek revenge but then decides this new freedom is a wake-up call. She’s “gonna cut and run with the setting sun and leave you in the dust” instead of spending her “life just spinning my wheels, wondering why I hate and how I feel…..gotta face reality.” Take note ladies.

McMillan is a welcome addition to the roster of up and coming female artists in country music. Don’t “linger” when deciding whether you should give this EP a listen and purchase.

There have been quite a few records released lately that have been solid listens from start to finish. One album that can be added to that list is Hannah Bethel’s Never Ending Sky. The Michigan native, and Nashville resident’s, fourth independently released album arrived in October of 2014. Never Ending Sky incorporates lap steel, ganjo and piano, as well as electric guitar, into songs with character. Its eight well-crafted songs were all co-written by Bethel, who at a young age has a hand for classic storytelling; weaving detailed scenes into her songs that come to life as you listen.

The first track, and current single, “You Wanna Be My Man,” has her airy vocals and ganjo merging into an up-tempo chorus about being head over heels in love. Personal favorite, “Frigerator,” revolves around something as simple as using that every day appliance to talk about a relationship on the decline. “You shut me off like I’m a stranger/But what happened to the nights we didn’t sleep/Cause I miss your hands on my waist/In the kitchen when we couldn’t wait/But now the only thing turned on in this house is the frigerator.”

“The Lie” begins like a ballad but then the tempo increases with extremely clever lyrics telling the story of being continually wronged by the one you love. “In the end the shot that kills is not the crime, it’s the lie.”

The insanely catchy “Tumbleweed” speaks to the wandering spirit and being in a place where one will “never have to wonder about the things we never tried.”

“If You Felt Like I Did” is a too good for words duet with Brennin Hunt which tells the story of the end of a relationship from two points of view. While she questions “what the hell went wrong” he explains how he couldn’t be with her for the rest of his life “if you felt like I did.” Sad and lovely at the same time.

The twangy “Watching the Sky” finds her wondering if her love will ever return while the solemn “Come Back Down” deals with loving, and letting go of, someone with an addiction. “What can I do to save you without killing me/Cause lately I’m tired of waiting alone on the ground…..I’m afraid we ain’t gonna make it when you are high in the clouds.”

The album closes with “The Way Back Home” on which her vocals, and the cadence of the song, bring to mind traveling or searching, whether it be away from or to something. “I still look for what I couldn’t see, I guess blindness runs in my family”

Hannah Bethel is a strong addition to country music and if this release is any indication, then the sky certainly could be never ending for her and her music.

Purchase Never Ending Sky here

Carrie Underwood’s “Little Toy Guns” is the second single from her Greatest Hits: Decade #1 album. The song, co-written by Underwood with Chris DeStefano and Hillary Lindsey, tells the story of a child caught in the crossfire of her parents’ arguments, wishing them, of course, to cease. Underwood’s vocals, as always, shine on the drum and electric guitar heavy tune that deals with a serious message: how an unstable parental relationship can hurt a child.

“I wish words were like little toy guns
No sting, no hurt no one, Just a bang bang rollin' off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)
No smoke, no bullets, no kick from the trigger when you pull it
No pain, no damage done

(I wish words were like little toy guns)
Just a bang bang rollin' off your tongue
(I wish words were like little toy guns)”