First Country: New Music From Ashley McBryde, Plus Diplo With Morgan Wallen & Julia Michaels
First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos and albums that dropped this week.
Country music had an influx of new music videos this week, including “Hang In There Girl,” which served as part three to Ashley McBryde’s latest video saga, as well as captivating storylines as seen on Diplo’s latest track from his country project Thomas Wesley with a new version of “Heartless,” featuring Morgan Wallen and Julia Michaels.
Newcomers MacKenzie Porter and Parker McCollum also dropped videos for fan-favorite songs “Pretty Heart” and “These Days,” while Tim Montana unveiled the country barn-burner “Bury Me by the Bonfire.” Additionally, Troy Cartwright hits the sweet spot with his infectious new single “Cake for Breakfast.”
Below are six new tracks to spin this weekend.
Ashley McBryde, “Hang In There Girl”
McBryde serves as a hopeful voice throughout the inspiring “Hang In There Girl,” where she advises a teenager that everything is going to be all right. The video tells a different story though. The end of a three-part series where a young woman kidnaps her father’s mistress to bury her in the woods, the drama takes a turn once McBryde and the woman drop off the getaway car at an impound lot showing that the crime may not be as hidden as it looks.
Diplo, “Heartless” feat. Morgan Wallen and Julia Michaels
Diplo’s country project, Thomas Wesley, is getting an assist from Julia Michaels. The previously released ballad “Heartless” featuring Wallen adds Michaels to the already infectious track. While the song details the conflicted feelings between a couple during a doomed relationship, this time there’s a twist. In the clip, Wallen and Michaels portray two people who are struggling to make their own relationship work with their significant others while staying at the same motel. The video later shares an unexpected new beginning as Wallen and Michaels decide to leave their respective relationships together. Michaels’ emotive vocals only ups the ante of the song.
MacKenzie Porter, “These Days”
Porter has already dominated the Canadian airwaves with “These Days,” a No. 1 hit in Canada which follows previous chart topper “About You.” The success of both singles made the singer the first female in 22 years to have back-to-back hits at Canadian country radio. Porter is signed to Nashville’s Big Loud Records and readying her debut album and if the picturesque and cinematic music video for “These Days” is any indication, Nashville will soon take notice of her mesmerizing vocals and hook-driven songs.
Parker McCollum, “Pretty Heart”
Following his sold-out show at Nashville’s Exit/In on Thursday evening (Jan. 30), McCollum released the video for “Pretty Heart.” While he had fans singing along word for word during his engaging headlining show, the music video paints a more heartbreaking picture to the fan favorite song.
“Shooting the video in New York City was a blast and really brought this song to life,” McCollum said in a statement. “2020 is already off to an amazing start with our sold-out Nashville show. I’m really excited to release more new music that I’ve been working on and share it with fans on the road.”
Tim Montana, “Bury Me By the Bonfire”
Montana has some heavyweights in his corner like Kid Rock, who guests on his upcoming album American Thread out Feb. 14, and Charlie Sheen who directed his most recent music video for “Mostly Stoned.” One listen to new track “Bury Me By the Bonfire” and it’s evident why as Montana’s booming vocals instantly grab attention alongside the ear-grabbing guitar riffs and foot-stomping rhythms.
Troy Cartwright, “Cake For Breakfast”
Cartwright delivers an infectious treat with the release of new song “Cake For Breakfast.” Penned by Brett Tyler, Michael Hardy and Alysa Vanderheym, the upbeat tune about living in the moment appropriately throws healthy dieting to the wayside as Cartwright sings of a memorable evening with his girl. With plenty of hand-snapped rhythms, enjoyable banjo features and Cartwright’s memorable vocals, “Cake For Breakfast” is an obvious earworm.