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Country

Tyler Rifley Oxygenated New Life into Country Pop with ‘Breathe’

Posted on 5 March 2025

Since the first notes of Breathe found oxygen on the airwaves, Tyler Rifley’s country pop rock anthem has been picking up momentum, and for good reason. With twang in all the right places and anthemics in all the rest, the hook-packed hit doesn’t just set the tone for summer—it serenades it into existence.

Written as an ode to his child and a reflection on how parenthood flips the world on its axis, Breathe radiates the kind of unfiltered, feel-good sincerity that most country artists spend their whole careers chasing. The uplifting message transcends into euphoria, with sun-bleached melodies guiding the way. Even the soaring electric guitar solo feels like an extension of that boundless, infectiously sweet energy.

Anchorage-based and self-produced, Rifley is the engineer of his own sound. As the co-owner of Midnight Sound Studio, he’s created a space where raw emotion meets refined musicianship. His path hasn’t been easy, shaped by years in foster care and the system that followed him into adulthood, but his music doesn’t dwell in the past—it pushes forward, powered by resilience and a newfound sense of purpose.

With Breathe, Rifley reaches the epitome of wholesome country pop panache, discover it yourself on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Elysrei’s ‘Is There Really Nothing You Miss?’ Cuts Deep with Cinematic Southern Gothic Resonance

Posted on 25 February 2025

Loss doesn’t simply take—it leaves behind a hollow, a mess of illusions, and a silence louder than the words that were never spoken. In ‘Is There Really Nothing You Miss?’, Elysrei crafts a dark Americana vignette steeped in the pain of devotion turned to dust.

With hauntingly husky vocals, she takes command of the roots-infused instrumentals that stretch between the Southern Gothic and the cinematic grit of a Tarantino western. The atmosphere is so thick it could blunt the sharpest knife, with growling basslines, rattling percussion, and twang-laced motifs that curl through the mix like spectral echoes of something long gone.

Hailing from Singapore, Elysrei has never been one for easy categorisation. Her music draws from pop, R&B, soul, and jazz, yet every note is tethered to a space where authenticity reigns, where emotional resonance trumps convention. ‘Is There Really Nothing You Miss?’ doesn’t play to expectation—it revels in raw sentiment, pulling listeners into a soundscape that aches with longing and bitter revelation.

The track’s Western noir aesthetic gives the heartbreak a cinematic weight, as if the dust has barely settled from the departure of someone who took everything and left nothing but questions in their wake. It’s a song for anyone who’s been left to wrestle with naivety, for those who know the sting of devotion repaid with indifference.

‘Is There Really Nothing You Miss?’ is out now on all major streaming platforms; find your preferred way to listen via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Heidi Vincent – Criminal: A Ruggedly Western Vignette of Vengeance

Posted on 17 November 2024

Vancouver’s Heidi Vincent fuelled her latest single, Criminal, with Femme Fatale fire-branded soul. Within the pistols at dawn ruggedly Western vignette of vengeance, the country-pop-rock siren reclaims her power after a sour romantic encounter while giving April March a run for her twangy rockabilly money.

As the ultimate soundtrack for the recently lothario-scorned, Criminal delivers enough vindication to devour your spite whole as you lose yourself within the stylised earworm which is a thematic continuation from her previous denial and betrayal-encompassing single, What Love Can Do.

While cinema may fail to write female redemption stories which don’t resonate as exploitative, that’s exactly where the independent singer-songwriter succeeded with Criminal, there’s catharsis by the smorgasbord in the invitation for every listener to find their power through the narratively electrifying sonic blockbuster.

Criminal hit all major platforms on November 1st; stream it on Spotify and connect with Heidi Vincent on Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Blake Jubenville – The Sunsets: Horizons in Indie Alt-Country Harmony

Posted on 16 November 2024

At just 14, Blake Jubenville already has a hit-packed discography and a mastery of melody under his belt. His latest single, ‘The Sunsets’ amalgamates the rugged charm of country with indie sensibility, carving a unique niche in the contemporary music scene, reminiscent of the nostalgia found in the works of the Violent Femmes and the rhythmic narratives of Kurt Vile.

Blake’s ability to craft melodies that resonate with a seasoned artist’s flair is evident throughout ‘The Sunsets’. The single flows with swathes of commercial appeal yet retains a heartfelt authenticity that strays far away from cliché. His mature-beyond-his-years voice carries a gravity that sweeps up the atmosphere, turning every note into a panoramic vignette that pulls the listener in.

The authenticity permeates every syllable, making it impossible not to warm to the fledgling singer-songwriter and see the potential in his future.

Stream Blake Jubenville’s seminal single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jay Jones spills rock n roll attitude in his swampy country single, Drinkin’ in a Hotel Room

Posted on 8 November 2024

Look at life through the lens of a country-rock renegade on the road with Jay Jones’ latest hook-driven anthem, Drinkin’ in a Hotel Room.

Memphis’ rough and ready chart-topping award-winning artist is no stranger to clocking up the miles as he blazes through the states, electrifying rock fans keen to get a taste of his sound that pours smoother than a shot of whiskey, so if anyone knows how to implant you in the raucous experience of a rockstar, it’s Jay Jones. With cheeky touches here and there within the swampy radio-ready hit, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the vignette.

With pornographic tones spilling from the guitars as the crunchy overdriven chords meet winding country licks, Jay Jones has the perfect platform for his raw powerhouse vocals that sweep you up in the hedonistic earworm. No one would blame you for dancing on a pool table while this single gyrates through the atmosphere.

Stream the cinematically shot official music video for Drinkin’ in a Hotel Room on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Matt Baker wrapped the wonder of wanderlust up in his latest Americana-tinged indie alt-country panorama, Planes, Trains & Cars

Posted on 20 October 2024

For his latest seminal release, Planes, Trains & Cars, the singer-songwriter and endlessly adept multi-instrumentalist Matt Baker twanged hints of honkytonk Americana into an indie alt-country pop romanticised installation of wanderlust. As the sonic equivalent of Jack Kerouac, the New Jersey-hailing artist sonically visualised the irreplicable feeling of hitting the road and clocking up the miles to bring you closer to the person in the passenger seat.

Accompanied by the music video, the cinematic road trip playlist staple finessed the feel-good factor, acting as a homage to Baker’s stripes as an audio engineer and visual artist and his dedication to amplifying the thematic resonance in everything he touches. Planes, Trains & Cars is just one of the tracks he’s turned to gold with his ability to paint panoramic vignettes with his evocatively timbered, expansively intimate vocal lines.

Stream the official music video for Planes, Trains & Cars on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Locked and Loaded: The Country Icon, Chris Erasmus, Fires Off with ‘Shotgun

Posted on 18 September 2024

Chris Erasmus’ latest single, Shotgun, finds its mark with a fusion of deep, resonant vocals and a dynamic full-band sound that finds new country roads to rhythmically explore. Opening with a voice that carries the haunting depth of Nick Cave, Erasmus sets a reflective tone with acoustic strings that soon give way to the invigorating swell of gospel-like backing vocals. The augmented choruses, brimming with vibrant energy, draw listeners into a rhythmic trance, emblematic of the single’s narrative of liberation and emotional revival.

Crafted as a sonic journey through the highs and lows of personal growth, Shotgun artfully captures the essence of moving beyond a toxic dynamic with the instrumentals mirroring the ebb and flow of introspection and realisation. It’s a narrative of empowerment, underscored by the thematic and literal movement the title suggests—moving forward, unburdened and unchained.

With a diverse background that spans continents—from Zimbabwe to London—and a rich litany of musical experiences, from classical training to theatrical performances, Erasmus brings a unique, cultured perspective to his work. This eclectic background shines through in Shotgun, which marries Americana sensibilities with a palpable emotional depth and expert craftsmanship.

Shotgun first blasted onto the airwaves on September 6th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ross Flora – Santa Ana Wind: A Whiskey-Soaked Country Blues Rock Ode to a Femme Fatale

Posted on 16 September 2024

If you’re looking for a track that anchors itself in the quintessence of bluesy country rock, look no further than Ross Flora’s latest single, ‘Santa Ana Wind’, which speaks rhythmic volumes of the singer-songwriter’s seasoned artistry as a fret veteran.

With the sublimity of the single manifesting through the gravelly timbre of whiskey-soaked vocal lines that caustically cut across the winding, sustained guitar notes, it is destined to become a sonic sanctuary for anyone who feels at home in the Nashville sound.

Ross Flora, with a guitar in hand, Flora becomes a conduit of hypnotism, weaving an alchemic spell that prompts you to ponder just when his visage will grace the halls of rock n’ roll fame. His cultivated ability to wrap an aura of seductive soul around his virtuosity is a testament to his rightful place in the annals of music legends.

Raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Ross’s origin story was written early after exposure to a tapestry of R&B and Bluegrass influences. From harmonising in church pews under his father’s tutelage to shredding Van Halen tracks in his youth, his path has always been marked by intrepid sonic exploration, which continued when he put down roots in Nashville and amassed a legion of fans with his unique ability to paint panoramic portraits through sound and soul.

With ‘Santa Ana Wind’, Ross Flora ensnares the listener in a narrative wrought from his rural roots and life’s meanderings, underscored by his literary acumen and deep respect for his musical forebears like Gregg Allman and Chris Cornell.  It’s impossible to reach the last note without finding equal amounts of room in your heart and on your music radar for Ross Flora.

Santa Ana Wind was officially released on September 6th; stream it on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jojo and Wo shook up country hip-hop with ‘Beer Money (Champagne Wishes)’ ft Fred Lockett

Posted on 12 September 2024

JoJo and Wo, the self-made sibling duo from Houston, have once again proven their genre-blending mettle with their latest single, Beer Money (Champagne Wishes). It’s a track that hits all the right notes for fans of country hip-hop, with Fred Lockett adding an extra layer of grit to an already unapologetic banger.

If Yelawolf, Kid Rock, Colt Ford, and Lil Nas X are staples in your playlists, you’ll instantly be gripped by the beat in Beer Money, which slams and slaps over acoustic guitars that pull you straight into the soul of the country scene.

The dynamic interplay between JoJo’s fiery, polished vocals and Lockett’s gruff, whiskey-soaked tones gives the track its undeniable edge. It’s impossible not to lose yourself in the rhythmic magnetism of the hit that kicks you into a foot-stomping groove.

JoJo and Wo’s legacy started in Houston, where they discovered their passion at just five years old. With appearances on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and Clash of the Choirs, and performances alongside the likes of Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, and The Pussycat Dolls, they’ve proven they were born to be on the big stage.

After signing to Pulse Publishing as songwriters, their global influence skyrocketed, securing placements on major TV shows and penning hits for LMFAO and Flo Rida. Now, with Beer Money (Champagne Wishes), JoJo and Wo are making waves yet again.

Beer Money was officially released on August 24 and is now available on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Find the inspiration to cut out the static and reconnect with Mikey Wayne’s indie Americana serenade, Back to You & Me

Posted on 31 August 2024

Nashville-based rock troubadour Mikey Wayne has followed on from the success of his critically acclaimed EP Echo Mountain Sessions with his serenade, Back to You & Me. The indie Americana ballad is sonic kryptonite for the diehard romantics with its sweeping orchestral crescendos and equally as lush harmonies which deliver the raw emotion and warm melodicism of Bryan Adams.

The authentically affecting release brings back the energy of a full band, tied to the roots of Wayne’s Nashville country sound and echoing the influences of his Southern California roots and Alabama upbringing, resulting in a potent mix of open-hearted lyrics and passion-driven progressions.

The ornate orchestral motifs pull you right into the core of the unfeigned sentimentality of the single which implores listeners to turn away from distraction, tune out from the static of the world and lose themselves within the sanctuary built by connection. In an era where it is seen as more entertaining to stare at the selfies of strangers on Instagram instead of the eyes of one they love, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most, which will never be found on an Instagram feed.

The official music video for Back to You & Me will premiere on August 31st; stream the video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast