Top Picks

Reg Meuross Fire & Dust 8/10 Reg Meuross’s Fire & Dust: The Woody Guthrie Story is a compelling tribute to the legendary folk musician, blending storytelling with heartfelt melodies. Commissioned by Pete Townshend, who co-produced and played on the album, Meuross captures Guthrie’s spirit with authenticity and depth. The album’s title track sets the tone with the evocative lines: “You are the voice, you are the call / You are the word of one and all.” Meuross delves into Guthrie’s struggles and activism, particularly in Woody Guthrie’s Chains: “From the day my eyes were opened when my earthly soul was born / I’ve been chained to the forsaken, the forgotten and forlorn.” With rich classic folk instrumentation and poetic lyricism, Fire & Dust bridges past and present, reminding us of Guthrie’s timeless message of justice and resilience. Meuross’s tender delivery ensures this isn’t just a homage but a vital, living continuation of Guthrie’s legacy.   To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

Warren Zeiders Can A Heart Take 10/10 Warren Zeiders delivers a powerhouse performance in Can A Heart Take, a raw, emotionally charged track that blends his signature gravelly vocals with a storm of heartache and resilience. The song captures the toll of love lost, asking the gut-wrenching question: “How much pain can a heart take before it breaks?” With a driving melody and anthemic chorus, Zeiders balances vulnerability with strength, making the song both deeply personal and universally relatable. The lyrics paint a picture of a man at his breaking point, yet unwilling to give in. “Whiskey don’t burn like your memory does” is a standout line, perfectly encapsulating the ache of lingering love. Sonically, the track leans into a modern country-rock fusion, reminiscent of artists like Morgan Wallen and Cody Johnson, but with Zeiders’ own gritty authenticity. Can A Heart Take is a standout anthem for anyone who has ever faced heartbreak head-on and lived to tell the tale.   To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

Too Many Train Rides 8/10 Nielsen’s roots in the 1980s Danish punk rock scene show on this album, with lyrical deftness that is usually a staple of folk punk such as the line ‘I’m just screwing my own mental health’ on the track ‘Mother’s Ruin’. Accompanied on most tracks by an acoustic guitar backing, Nielsen’s stripped-back sound allows his pen-craft to shine through. As with many of the cuts on the album, Nielsen utilises the space between upbeat music with lyrics describing heartbreak to create a clever irony that only elevates the listenability of the entire body of work particuarly on the track ‘Happy Malfunction Day’, which musically sounds like a day at the beach, but lyrically explores the internal struggle between ones own thoughts and their outward appearance. The album is deceptive in its simplicity in places, as a body of work it has depth and nuance that would make other songwriters second-guess the qualities of their lyrics and musical expression.   To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com