Cold meds and make-up

Real talk: the only thing keeping me looking and acting like a real human right now are cold meds and make-up. So apologies in advance for the shorter CMF this week but... at least I tried?


The First: Dear Hate by Maren Morris feat. Vince Gill

So Maren Morris. AND Vince Gill. Together. What a recipe for success. This song is so heartbreakingly good and there's really not much more I can say, just listen to it.


The Second: Doin' Fine by Lauren Alaina

If you've been reading CMF for any amount of time, you can probably guess that I'm not super into this music video because it's... a lot. BUT I like the song and that, unlike so many others, it's not about getting over her own romantic relationship but that there are other layers to it. Like an onion, as Shrek would say. Weird reference? Probably.


The Third and Final: The Long Way by Brett Eldredge

If I'm being honest, I'm really just counting down the days until I can reasonably be listening to Brett's Christmas album without getting weird looks. So I'm settling for this song in the meantime because I do love it... and because if I just play all Brett Eldredge's songs on shuffle then sometime Spotify does me a solid and sneaks in one or two holiday ones. Because it knows that's what I really want.

Hope you all cozy up this weekend and enjoy the rainy days from inside some place warm. I intend to do just that with a little hot tea, a good book and some final trip planning mixed in too. Enjoy the last few hours of this work week!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

A Jazzier Friday

I've pretty much just been listening to Maren Morris all week, so today's selections are definitely on the blues-y/jazzier side of the country spectrum as a result. But who doesn't like a blues-y soundtrack to rock them into the weekend?? (If you put your hand up in response to that question, please put it down. I can't see you. This is the internet.)


The First: Make You Feel My Love covered by Maisy Stella

It's undeniable that this girl has got a pretty incredible and unique voice. This sweet rendition is made even sweeter with her dad accompanying her on the guitar. I'll admit, her raw talent makes me super jealous. But knowing that she's literally half my age (I looked her up and learned we share a birthday, you see) and has already had the experiences she's had is even more sobering. Thankfully I've got this song to calm my nerves.


The Second: Waiting On You by Lindsay Ell

I'm into this. Like, I could probably listen to it on repeat for a solid two to three days before I would start getting tired of it, which I feel is a significant amount of time to listen to the same song over and over and over and over again. A note about the music video: do not be ashamed if you watch it to the end and are frustrated that she didn't remove the painters tape. It frustrated me a lot. I re-watched it twice to see if I had missed something and then became very annoyed when I learned that I missed nothing. She just. didn't. remove. it.


The Third and Final: Company You Keep by Maren Morris

Since I've been listening to her non-stop I figured I better share something. I think this song is a great reminder of what's is really important - it's not what you do but rather the people you do it with. I've also really been loving Rich lately, though there is some mildly NSFW language so I figured I'd link it instead, out of respect for you and your officemates. 😉


And so ends another week. My long weekend was just splendid! Lots of beach time, pool time, friend time, and out-of-town-visitor time to really stretch out the weekend. More than that, it was just the right balance of having stuff to do and relaxing in preparation for what has turned out to be a very full first week in my new job. Looking forward to another weekend of summertime activities as of 5pm this evening! Hoping your calendars look the same.

Finally, a shout out to my sweet parents who were married 30 years ago today. Happy anniversary to the people who made me who I am today (minus the love for country music... because no one knows where that came from). Love you!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Let's be more Swiss.

It's Friday! Finally! Find yourself some friends and a cocktail and cheers to the weekend!

In between extended weekend trips and some long-anticipated days off, it's been a few weeks since I've worked a full five-day week. And you know what I've learned? Five days a long haul. Who else is thinking that Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands (among a few others) have the right idea with their four-day work weeks? All in favour for being more like the Swiss raise your hand.
I thought so.

Bonus: I also love swiss cheese, so I'm thinking this'll work out well for me in more ways than one.

The First: Tin Man by Miranda Lambert

Well just break my heart and put it back together, Miranda. I love this.
She sounds like old Miranda circa Famous in a Small Town and New Strings and it's so good. Not only is this song great, but can we take a moment to just appreciate her as a performer? It's just her and her guitar and her voice and a spotlight and she has that entire audience captivated. I mean, her fringe should also get a shout out for its stage presence (obviously) but mostly it's just her guitar and her voice that captivates you. And that's pretty incredible.


The Second: I Could Use A Love Song by Maren Morris

I've had a hard time finding a Maren Morris song I haven't immediately loved, and this one is no different. It's on the slower side but oh so good. As you may have guessed, the official music video was waaay too much drama for a Friday and disrupted the song a few times so you get this zero budget lyric video instead. Trust me. It's for the best.


The Third and Final: Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton

Man can this guy sing. I don't know that I'll ever tire of his voice and the never pop-y song selections. I think what I love most about Chris Stapleton's music is that it's always all about his voice and the lyrics. They're not about how catchy they can make the chorus sound or if the kids in the club will be able to dance along to the music (clubs are still a thing, right?). They're just about the weight of his voice and I think that's cool.


Looking forward to a few sunshine-filled walks along the water, plans with friends, and the return of a certain European traveller this weekend. Hope you've got exciting plans in the works too!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

I Am My Own Downfall

I was really excited to share that this post (surprisingly) featured all new artists! But then I was reminded that I featured Maren Morris a little over a month ago and realized that I am the cause of my own downfall. Does that sound super dramatic? If it does, then you clearly have never met me in person. Dramatic is my neutral. (I blame my friend Lawrence, who has a really charming habit of turning all incidents equal to burnt toast into forest fires).


The First: Little Bit Of You by Chase Bryant

So... I'm not entirely convinced that I haven't shared this song in the past, but I combed through the archives and couldn't find it? So I think we're safe? Apologies if this does turn out to be a repeat; I'm only human (spoiler alert, I know). Enjoyyyy!


The Second: My Church by Maren Morris

I think I just love the soulful beat of this song. It's great to sing along to, of course while driving (as you know by know I do oh-so-often). I linked a live version, because you know how much I love it.


The Third and Final: Hypnotizing by Hayden Panettiere in Nashville

Back when I regularly watched Nashville (I don't know what happens around the end of season 2...), I heard this song and fell in love with it. This week when I was searching for music to feature I stumbled back across it and figured, why not?! What I really loved about this song is that it's upbeat and also how the end of each stanza goes in a direction that you don't really expect. Like, the way that she falls into "but those sweet blue eyes" is just so wonderful. I need someone to teach me how to play this on the guitar ASAP.


I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend (< note the intentional alliteration. You're welcome.) I'm spending mine catching up on a few weeks worth of sleep. #soexcited

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Hello CMFers,

Since the boys had their day in the sun (rain, if you were in Vancouver) last week, I thought it was only fair to balance it out with these three ladies this week. So get ready for lots of clear, twangy, pretty vocals and stuff.

The First: Want It All by Cam

That twang. Also, that hair. Both things I seriously envy about good ol' Cam.
This lovely lady released her first record last week and it's a good one, as promised by her single My Mistake.
She also is still super into yellow. I respect a woman with this degree of commitment.


The Second: Shut Up And Fish by Maddie & Tae

I mostly just think this song is funny and extraordinarily catchy.
But I am also now going to have to remember "madder than a hornet in an old coke can" for future use because that just paints a very clear picture of someone who is quite perturbed.


The Third and Final: I Wish I Was by Maren Morris

I'm calling this bluesy country, which I'm really loving for the record. It combines two of my three favourite genres of music: country and jazz. The third genre on my list is musical theatre, which I assume would be a tricky combo attempt, outside of Annie Get Your Gun and Oklahoma!.


Finally, you get a bonus this week because Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton did this a month ago. ("Anyone born after 1997 thinks Justin Timberlake is an okay actor who is just now breaking into the music industry." - a hilarious thing I once read on Instagram).

Thanks for listening,!
Karla