Top Picks

Mississippi native, Jameson Rodgers, has been dreaming of the day he can finally release his debut album after working hard to achieve it for 11 years in music city. Now that day is finally here and Rodgers delivers his own fresh take on country rock with epic, arena-ready productions across the 15 tracks. The opening number, One Day has an incredible outro with big drum hits and electric guitar solos ramping up the energy, giving us a taste of what’s to come. The stripped back Merle Haggard and Good Dogs meanwhile, show Rodgers versatility and a softness and vulnerability is audible in his voice. One of the highlights is Rodgers top 10 single Cold Beer Calling My Name which features label mate Luke Combs. In this song, Rodgers displays a likeness to early Jason Aldean, I like the electric guitars and the subtle addition of the banjo in the chorus, following on from that is Some Girls which was a number one hit on the country airplay charts. It’s easy to see why with the clever lyrics and rhythmical melodies in the chorus. To conclude, the new kid on the block has delivered with his debut album and just like the recently released singles, I expect this record to do very well in the country albums chart.  To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

Steeped in tradition, Lynch draws influence from the likes of Merle Haggard and George Strait on his latest album. It opens with Starting Now – a fitting title for an opening track! We hear the story clearly and get a feel for the characters as Lynch begins in spoken word as a pedal steel softly meanders its way through the song underneath the vocals. Lynch’s vocals have an authentic twang to them, a clear tone, they smoothly tell the stories he’s so eloquently crafted. His songwriting throughout draws upon the sensibilities that the genre was built upon. My Heart and Yours is a standout on the 12-track album. The duet ballad shows off his vocal range in the beginning as he swoops into his lower register. The lyrics are simple but to the point. Meanwhile, You Can’t Do This No More, the closing track leans upon the pedal steel once again as the vocal Melodie intertwine with the steel or guitar riffs. Lynch’s ability to tell a story, to paint the picture of these characters in your mind is what sets him apart. The production and arrangement frames these tales perfectly too.  To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

Dennis Roger Reed’s ‘Down at the Washington Hotel’ boasts an authenticity and sparseness about its production. He drafts in some of the finest players from California to accompany him. The 17-tracks are self-penned and for the most part, there is a relaxed feel to the album. Although he has a lovely tone to his voice, I feel I want to hear slightly more conviction in his delivery especially in the more emotive songs. I love the backing vocals in I Need You and the guitars bright, crisp tone. Wishes Were Horses is my favourite track on the album, again there’s a lovely acoustic guitar sound – the dominant accompanying instrument throughout the record in fact. There is lots of space for each line to linger. He also showcases the lower end of his vocal register towards the end of each section. The record closes with Such A Long Long Time, again a simple, to the point lyric is at the centre of this love song. It’s a tune that is sure to bring a smile to your face.  To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com  

15 time GRAMMY award-winning banjo pioneer Béla Fleck returns to the bluegrass genre with ‘My Bluegrass Heart’. After venturing off, unlocking the instrument’s potential in other genres, this latest 19-track collection marks Fleck’s homecoming in style. The album brings together some of the genres finest musicians and bridges the generational gap as he teams up with collaborators who were a part of his classic album ‘Drive’ as well as new faces such as Billy Strings. There is a high energy throughout the album, from the opening track, the apprehensive Vertigo which has a questionable time signature in parts, to the very last note of Psalm 136. A stand out track for me is Hunter’s Moon, with it’s eeriness and intensity, it feels delicately crafted with a well thought out arrangement and production. It’s an enjoyable listen which will see your foot tapping along throughout to this instrumental master-class.  To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com  

At just 16 years old Mikayla Lane’s music is grabbing the attention of her industry peers and propelling her to tour around the States as her fanbase grows. ‘Miles From Nowhere’ is authentic country music, from the instrumentation and production to the compelling stories her lyrics tell, whilst all the while her melodies grab your attention and keep you hanging on every clever word she’s crafted. The standout track is the beautiful Wild Like The Wind. Inspired by Lane’s involvement in the rodeo, her voice sores through her range as the chorus shows off the powerful nature of her young voice as she paints the scene with her words; “One day here, next he’s gone, blows in with the sunset, out before dawn.”   Meanwhile, Coming Home, with it’s haunting slide guitar addresses Lane’s youth and sacrifice for her craft as she “I spend most nights on a stage with a good song, and all these strangers come a hundred miles just to sing along, how could it ever be wrong?” Her observations and evaluations of her own career and emotions show Lane is wise beyond her years. Along with co-writer John Conrad, Lane has crafted some wonderful lines throughout the four song collection.   Reminiscent of early Taylor Swift, the sky’s the limit for Lane who has a very bright future ahead.  To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

The lost recording from Emmylou Harris and the Nash Ramblers hometown show has been unearthed and thank goodness it has! The first thing that hits you is the incredible musicianship that the Ramblers display as the concert begins with the high tempo Roses In The Snow something which is further showcased in jaw-dropping instrumental displays throughout, such as on The Price I Pay which sees Harris duet with Sam Bush when the vocals kick in. If you close your eyes, the four walls that surround you fall away and you’re transported to Nashville, to that concert as Harris’ impeccable vocals serenade you. Hit songs like Beneath Still Waters and the closing track, Boulder to Birmingham hold more weight to them in this live setting, the emotion audible in her voice. What you hear is a glimpse of a spine-tingling performance from some of the greatest musicians ever assembled, playing some of the greatest bluegrass and country songs ever written. The timeless performance, delivered as a high quality recording, is a must have in any music fans collection.   To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

The Rising, made up of Chris Logan and Chantelle McAteer, have written and produced a brilliant EP. The DIY, homegrown musicians have stayed true to their country-rock sound and their ability to tell a good love story remains. Upon first listen I notice the tidy production and the high energy injected into the opening track You Had It All. McAteer’s vocals are at their very best throughout the record as they soar through those choruses. A stand out track for me is Bruise You Left which reflects upon the impact of a failed relationship, the vocals start off small, playing host to vulnerability as they convey the story. Highway to the Lost and Found reflects upon life as an independent touring musician, addressing the hardships and passion behind the job. It’s all set to an upbeat, intense arrangement which leans even more towards the rock side of the genre. I enjoyed the guitar solo in the middle also. To summarise, it’s a strong EP from the duo who have worked tirelessly to study the changing industry models of release and keep fans engaged throughout the pandemic. They’re certainly a band you’re willing to succeed!  To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

There’s no doubt about it, Gregory Dwane is a creative individual. Having worked in the music industry writing jingles and producing various artists to painting and opening a fine art gallery in Brooklyn, Dwane has done it all! Now he embarks upon a new venture exploring the world of alt-country. The lyrics throughout are an acknowledgement of life experiences both the ups and downs and tough lessons he’s learnt along the way. The honky-tonk feel of Do You Really Want Me opens the album, giving us our first introduction to Dwane’s gritty vocals. The production is tidy, he’s got a good group of musicians helping to bring this together. It’s a catchy, toe-tappingly good opening number. My favourite track is When You Say California, the relaxed, laid-back vibe at the beginning is fitting whilst the banjo is bright and sits perfectly within the production. The swirling pedal steel throughout adds a different dimension to the track. As it ramps up we hear more conviction in Dwane’s voice and we feel the intensity pick up. I am really excited by this album and this new artist on my radar, with his creative background taken into consideration as well, there is so much potential for Dwane to go off exploring his sound further – though it’s pretty good just the way it is!  To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com