New Music Tuesday: Vol. 37-2025

Good tunes from good folks

Straight to business this week, because there is a lot of great new music. Albums first, singles next.

Emily Love - Heart of a Fool

Emily Love put out her album yesterday because conventional releases aren’t a thing that really matters anymore. Fostering a dedicated fan base matters much more for small, independent artists.

I started following her releases when “Dance a Little Closer” landed in my new music list. Instantly, I was one of those dedicated fans in that base.

Heart of a Fool is a wonderful honky tonk album with a full range of songs — two-steppers, waltzes and rockabilly-inspired jams — all supported by incredible songwriting. No skips and perfect for a road trip with nice weather — four windows down rating.

Don’t miss it.

Casual Drifter - Goin’ For Broke

An important social commentary supported by cosmic and somewhat strange country music, Casual Drifter’s album feels very much like the Flying Burrito Brothers of 2025 East Nashville, without feeling old or fake. There is a sharpness to the lyrics that blasts away any of that hopeful, somewhat naive tone of the first wave country rockers.

Song after song, Casual Drifter brings something new to a very traditional sound.

Cory Cross - Doin’ Fine

I want Cory Cross to be the new face of country music. His sound incorporates the traditions, modern flourishes and themes, while putting on one of the most fun, straight-laced stage shows in country music. His writing isn’t complicated, while still being interesting. He plays the content game well, if reluctantly. With a team behind him, I’m very confident the guy could be radio-bound if we continue to see this shift back toward more traditional sounds on the airwaves.

Chandler Dozier - Bakersfield East

Thanks to your new best friend, Sean Burns of the Boots and Saddle Show, I got to dive into this wonderful EP by Dozier. With the massive popularity of nearly carbon copies of the 1990s out there on the airwaves, perhaps we could dig back a bit further to find inspiration in the unforgiving flats of Kern County. Dozier clearly listened to a lot of Dwight Yoakam and some of his inspirations from the heyday of the Bakersfield Sound. Great collection of songs right here.

Luke Bell - “The King Is Back”

Man, Luke Bell’s life was wildly tragic, and if anyone says it’s the quintessential country music story, I’m gonna punch them in the face. Bell made great, beautiful and smart traditional country music, but faced significant mental health problems and found comfort in drugs. He died of fentanyl intoxication in 2022. His music has always been a bit sadder than it seems. But this one is so good, and so sad at the same time. All proceeds for these songs go to supporting the Luke Bell Memorial Affordable Counseling Program.

Leon Majcen, Riley Downing - “Tallahassee”

This song is an exploration of smart songwriting and construction. The juxtaposition of Majcen and Downing’s voices, balanced by the interplay of the trumpet and tuba, is just so damn smart. Downing’s bass vocal supports can be distracting in some cases, which is often the point of his beautiful additions to the songs. Here, with the use of a range of brass instrumentation, the vocals serve as another element of a balanced song. The lyrics are fun, a nice spin on the traditional “I got a girl in every city,” but the song structure is spectacular.

Brit Taylor - “All For Sale”

I get serious, early Miranda Lambert meets the Bluegrass State vibes off this one. The specificity of the opening lines paints a picture that only great songwriters can paint, delivered perfectly by a powerful country singer.

Kristen Foreman - “Fellin’ Loveless”

More women doing 1990s neo-neo-traditional country music, please! Foreman’s addition to this new collection of ‘90s revival music is solid and needed. While it wasn’t perfect, there was more parity on the radio back then…so maybe in addition to the shirts, jeans, mustaches and music, we take a note about playing more women in country music.

Jarrod Morris - “Rodeo Pay”

I believe this is called country grunge or something? I loved Morris’ song “Red Bandana,” and while this isn’t anything like that song, it’s fun and a great story.

Vinnie Paolizzi - “Until You Do”

A classic troubadour’s love song. The use of the electric organ paired with the slide guitar provides a perfect example of the competing, yet complementary sounds that fill this song.

Kade Hoffman - “Million Dollar Bill”

This Dawes cover elevates the original, delivering an even sadder version of a sad song. Thanks to Garrett over at Hippies & Cowboys for the recommendation.

Until next time, keep on listening to great country music.