Turn the music up

Hello, hello!

Welcome to April! How did we get here so quickly?? I don't know man, but here we are.
We've got a pretty great line up today, so let's jump right in!
(Yes, that was indeed a Dallas Smith reference right there. You're welcome.)


The First: Slow Burn by Kacey Musgraves

The 👏 album 👏 is 👏 out 👏 y'all! And I'm so pleased with it.
This song is a particular favourite. I can't quite put my finger on it but something about how the tone of the music perfectly matches the lyrics is pure magic. Plus that "haven't been early since '88 line" is witty and perfect.


The Second: The Long Way Around by The Dixie Chicks

I mean what can I say? Nothing I type here will be better than you listening to this recent performance they've gifted to us.
(Ps. Why yes, that is me at the 0:50 mark, thanks for noticing.)


The Third and Final: What Keeps You Up At Night by Lee Brice

Give this song 20 seconds until it gets out of it's slow start and you'll be pleased you did. It's like when you've got a weekend road trip and are crawling on the busy city roads (in a car, obvi... not literally crawling on the road) but then you hit that highway and you turn the music up and you're rollin' on your way. That's what it's like when you get to the chorus of this song: You turn the music up and you're rollin'.

I get to hang out with my dad and some family this weekend - hope you all have plans to look forward to as well!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

You Make My (Pop Country) Dreams Come True

Allow me to let you in on a not-so-secret secret: the pop side of country has been *killing it* lately.
Like, really pulling out all the stops for spring, which I feel is when most people start listening to country music. It's a highly weather-dependant genre, as I'm learning.

So hold onto your (cowboy) hats and get ready for what's looking like an excellent crop of country hits to start rolling in. I'm so excited!


The First: Worth It by Danielle Bradbury

Some a capella goodness to kickstart your morning right. Don't be distracted by all her hand gestures or the top notch acoustics of the public washroom she's chosen to perform in (odd). Just focus on the sweet sound of her incredible voice.


The Second: Leaving New Orleans by Jordan Davis

Umm... this guy is officially my favourite. Same Jordan Davis from Singles You Up, as well as the one I legit fell in love with back in October, as you'll recall. What am I saying, I'm sure you all know who he is by now. He's great.
He has been releasing singles left and right and they👏 are👏 all 👏 good. Like... I don't understand how, but they're all so catchy and, surprisingly, not at all repetitive which I feel is a rarity when a new artist releases a bunch of new stuff all at once. It's premature, but Jordan Davis is shaping up to be a 2018 highlight for sure. (Bonus: he just released this song last night.)


The Third and Final: The Difference by Tyler Rich

Okay team, really saving the best of the week for last here. And also perhaps the most pop-y, but it's so good I can't help myself. Plus it's my blog so I'll do what I want. Ha ha ha... 
This has been the only song I've played in my car since last Friday. I'm just continually hitting repeat before the song is even over. Over and over and over and I'm not even sick of it yet.
"Who is Tyler Rich?" you ask? "It doesn't matter just be quiet and listen to this song." I reply.


If you're wanting more springtime pop country goodness for your sunny weekend adventures, I invite you to listen to my new Spring 2018 playlist on Spotify (and yes, The Difference is on there twice...) Whatever you get up to, I hope your weekend's a great one!

Thanks for listening,
Karla

'Tis The Season

... for new country music, apparently!

I definitely find that there's a few annual lulls with this genre and January/February is certainly one of them. But then the beginnings of spring start sneaking in and it's basically Country Music's cotillion. A warm up to their busy season: Summer. And I, for one, am looking forward to hearing all about it.


The First: Missing One by Jameson Rodgers

Y'all know my thing for wordplay (and clapping... though there ain't no clapping in this one. Unfortunately. 😒 ) and this song has it down. And it's not just the wordplay, even though that would be enough. When the band falls in after the first verse it's just... so good. So good that I actually said "oh no this is so good" out loud the first time I heard it. To myself, alone in my apartment. So you know that's high praise.


The Second: Space Cowboy by Kacey Musgraves

Her timing is impeccable. I was just thinking a few weeks ago about how I needed we all needed some more Kacey in our lives and here she is poppin' up outta nowhere to deliver. Again, we've got more clever wordplay here, mixed with Kacey's easy voice, so it's a win-win-win. (That third win is because the song title just makes me want to re-watch Firefly, and that's an easy gold star in my books.)


The Third and Final: I Was Jack (You Were Diane) by Jake Owen

We all knew this was coming and honestly it's about dang time. I don't think I've really loved a Jake Owen song since his first single. Seven years ago. Aka pre-CMF.
Yikes.
I guess I just don't get the whole "talking and pretending to kinda walk the line between singing and maybe rapping(?) but really I'm not doing either" thing that he does. But I'll put up with it here because the rest of the song is good and super duper catchy.
Yes, that's right: super duper.


It's been a long week so this weekend really can't come fast enough. Just think: there's just 8 hours of work between you and a glass of wine and a few days off.
Best of luck to all of us as we deal with Daylight Savings Time this weekend. And with that comes my annual reminder to stay safe on the roads on Monday. Sleep deprivation is a thing, people. Drink that extra cup of coffee.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Call A Spade A Spade

Seriously, let's just do it. Let's just start referring to this as CMFS instead: Country Music Fridays, Sometimes.

Doesn't have much of a ring to it, but it's certainly much more accurate than Inconsistent Karla over here.

The First: Sugar and Salt by Jillian Jacqueline

I haven't been able to stop listening to her stuff since I discovered her a few months ago and these simple versions where she just accompanies herself on the electric are certainly my favourites. A bit edgier than an acoustic interpretation but still clean enough to showcase her vocals. Big fan.


The Second: Last Shot by Kip Moore

Will we ever get tired of his voice?? Nope.
This one's got a great catchy cadence to the chorus that'll make you hit repeat. If you were my last shot.............OF WHISKEYYYYY.


The Third and Finally: Kiss Somebody by Morgan Evans

Wanna feel incredibly uncomfortable? Watch the beginning of that video. Wanna feel even more uncomfortable? Watch the rest of it. Go ahead, just do it. I dare you. What do you have to lose? It's Friday, after all. You'll have the whole weekend to recover.


Stay warm, y'all!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Still Dreaming About JT's Country Album

Remember when there were rumours flying around about how Justin Timberlake was going to put out a country album and everyone (namely: me) got super excited about it but then he didn't and we were all mildly sad even though his new album is still good? Everyone remembers this? Yeah, that's what I thought. Well let's hope he makes up for it with his Super Bowl show this weekend, amirite?

The First: Midnight Train To Memphis by Chris Stapleton

If y'all haven't already listened, then let me tell you: Volume II is gooooood. Real good. I mean, when the first Volume wins the Grammy for Best Country Album, you just gotta know this guy's doing something right. And if you ask me, his powerhouse gravel voice (that's a compliment, I swear), excellent songwriting and skilled guitar playing are just a few of those things he's doing right. Here's more proof because why not. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to Chris' wife, Morgane, who is is rockin' it on stage with him, pregnant with twins and all.
(PS if you're looking to procrastinate a little more than usual this morning, here's something fun.)


The Second: Call It A Night by Leaving Thomas

These Calgarians have finally released their first EP! This song speaks to me on a deep emotional level because I always call it a night and stay at home. Order in? Dance in the kitchen? Snuggle up on the couch? Red wine for a good time? Count me in always. Cancelling plans is my favourite social activity.

The Third and Final: Into The Mystic by Stoney Larue

This has some early days Zac Brown Band vibes and if you've been here for any amount of time you know that ZBB (and peanut butter cups and wine) are truly the way straight to my heart. So yeah, I like this song. Also now you conveniently know these very important facts about me since Valentine's Day does happen to be just around the corner...

Happy brunching/relaxing/watching the Puppy Bowl/hanging out with friends/calling it a night-ing or whatever else you're up to this weekend!

Thanks for listening!
Karla