Stephen Wilson Jr., who had a double-shot of performances at this week’s CMA Awards, has released a new tribute to blue-collar workers, while R&B star Ne-Yo offers up a country-inspired new track and ERNEST pays tribute to tight-knit communities. Kameron Marlowe, newcomer Emily Roth and bluegrass trio Sweet Sally also offer up new music.
Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of some of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.
Stephen Wilson Jr., “Gary”
Last week, Stephen Wilson Jr. not only performed twice at the CMA Awards and during the SESAC Nashville Awards, but he also released this stirring new track. It’s a gritty tribute to working-class men, those who are “Born with a cigarette glued to their face/ Fix about anything a hammer can handle.” Wilson Jr. praises the titular character’s blue-collar skills, but also fears that current and future generations won’t have enough “Garys.” Wilson Jr. has long been known for his formidable songwriting and grunge rock infused style of country. Searing guitar, explosive percussion and lines like “Time leaves town but the minute hand stays” reinforce his reputation as a superb musical craftsman.
Ne-Yo, “Simple Things”
R&B star Ne-Yo has been a steady presence in Nashville of late, as a presenter at the CMA Awards and performing on the Opry in the past week. Now, he releases this country-leaning track about appreciating simple things in life, like spending time with loved ones. The song is a deft mix of R&B and country, and Ne-Yo’s voice is as smooth and commanding as ever.
Emily Roth, “Matter of Time”
In her new song, Roth sings of how a glass of wine and intimate talk with a potential lover leave her teetering on the edge between infatuation and full-blown romance. Roth’s silky voice and the song’s understated musicianship give it a tender, dream-like quality. She wrote this track with Alex Kiel and Jesse Dozzi.
ERNEST, “Hate a Small Town”
On this song from his new project Live From The South, ERNEST lends his strong, vivid songwriting to chronicling the daily happenings and sights of a small community, from kids helping an elderly neighbor, to Friday night football games and “miles and miles of cottonwood trees.” This uptempo track’s percussion sizzles and while the guitar lines are tight and catchy, making for quite the radio-friendly track. ERNEST wrote the song with Chandler Paul Walters, Jordan Dozzi, and Brad Clawson.
Kameron Marlowe, “Fire on the Hillside”
Marlowe has already proven himself as a superb vocalist, and he turns that impeccable voice to this hard-charging tale of how, sometimes, smoke means fire when it comes to rumors raging through small towns. Marlowe’s soulful voice, paired with the song’s relentless rock swagger, makes this a track worth repeated listens and further cements Marlowe as a treasure of a newcomer in the genre.
Sweet Sally, “Iron Waterfall”
This all-woman California bluegrass trio has played at bluegrass events including DelFest, IBMA’s World of Bluegrass and High Sierra Music Festival. Its offers up a smooth, moody performance on “Iron Waterfall,” lyrically sketching a scene of emotional devastation and resilience. Guitarist Lucy Khadder wrote the song, and the trio is joined on the recording by mandolin player Sophia Sparks and bassist Clare O’Grady. Their tight-knit musicianship, paired with their honeyed harmonies that are sprinkled judiciously in the track, showcases their instinctive musical chemistry as a group.
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