There are countless ways to find new music with radio, streaming services, physical albums, and more. So it’s no question that, these days, country music fans have a plethora of music waiting to be heard right at their fingertips. With such a variety of tunes to navigate through, Charted is serving listeners everywhere with its weekly On The Radar series, which highlights and showcases new music each week so you don’t have to.
Here are 6 fresh songs to add to your playlist:
“Chainsmokin Memories ” — Thelma & James
Thelma & James, the musical duo consisting of married couple MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, can’t seem to kick the bad habit of remembering an old flame. They bring their captivating vocals together on their new duet “Chainsmokin Memories.”
Anchoring the track with their rich harmonies, Thelma & James reflect on the haunting memories of a love that ceases to exist. Throughout the tune, which includes a twangy guitar and a galloping rhythm, they agree the fixation on someone from the past isn’t healthy, but that won’t stop them from recalling the vivid moments they’ve shared that have becoming embedded in their minds from the “chesterfield sofa” to “a pocket full of matches” and “butterflies on a blue dress.”
“Chainsmokin Memories” is the third release from Thelma & James since the pair began dropping tunes to the public. The track follows the songs “Happy Ever After You” and “First Love.”
In a press release, Thelma & James said, “Going into our third song release we wanted to switch up the energy a little bit. Bring the tempo up (just a little) but keep it honest and still sound like us. We were writing a completely different song when someone described a feeling of remembering an ex like ‘chain-smoking memories’ – one after the other, snapshot after snapshot of that relationship. We wrote it about knowing it’s not healthy to go back down memory lane with that person, but you can’t help it… just like an addiction.”
Stream Thelma & James’s “Chainsmokin Memories” HERE.
“Heaven Is A Honky Tonk” — RaeLynn
If RaeLynn could imagine what heaven would look like, she’d venture to guess that one giant honky tonk lies beyond those pearly gates. That’s the message she delivers in her aptly titled track “Heaven Is A Honky Tonk.” The uptempo song, out now in partnership with Red Van Records/Jonas Group Entertainment, marks RaeLynn’s return to the Valory Music Co.
Co-produced alongside Aaron Gillespie, and co-written with Lauren Hungate and Caroline Watkins, “Heaven Is A Honky Tonk,” will have listeners ready to party in the closest dusty bar thanks to both its high-energy sound and its lyrics that paint the picture of a sawdust dance floor, neon lights, top-tier beer, a good crowd, and a loud house band to boot.
“‘Heaven is a Honky Tonk’ is the perfect introduction to my new music,” RaeLynn shared in a statement. “When we wrote it, I wanted to write a song that would be a jam to play live. I love having the imagery of heaven mixed in with all of the things you find at your favorite honky tonk. My producer, Aaron Gillespie, did such an amazing job bridging his country/rock sensibility to my country music background. He encouraged me to keep the rasp in my voice. I appreciate how authentic my vocals sound as if I was just talking with friends in a honky tonk then had to jump on stage to sing.”
Stream Rae Lynn’s “Heaven Is A Honky Tonk” HERE.
“We’re Back Baby” — The Reklaws
Canadian country music duo and talented siblings Stuart and Jenna Walker, known as The Reklaws, have released a brandnew track called “We’re Back Baby.” Featuring a country/R&B melody that’s fit for country radio, the tune tells the story of two old flames catching up after a long break, but finding that time spent apart hasn’t changed a thing. Their reconnection is just as instantaneous as the speed of throwing back a cold one. Stuart and Jenna swap verses on the catchy track, written with Callum Maudsley, Emily Reid, and Scott Helman.
“We’re back baby / Yeah we’re back like we never even left baby / Like the feeling that you get / When there ain’t no neon sign of stopping / Like there’s a good time just waiting on ya / We’re back baby / That’s an ice cold Friday night fact baby / Same time same buzz same sun fading / When the first ones cracked / It’s like no time’s passed / And just like that / We’reback baby,” The Reklaws sing, sharing the chorus of the track.
In a post on Facebook, The Reklaws shared what they hope fans want to take away from “We’re Back Baby.”
“We hope this song reminds you of rolling down the windows on the first warm day, or that smoking hot day at a festival with a beer in hand surrounded by the people you love the most!” The duo captioned. “We can hardly wait to scream sing this with you this summer… ”
Stream The Reklaws’ “We’re Back Baby” HERE.
“All Out of Me” — Callum Kerr
Scottish-born Texas-raised triple threat entertainer Callum Kerr gets sappy, sentimental, honest, raw, and ready to settle down in his latest track “All Out of Me.” Co-written alongside Dustin Lynch and produced by Dann and David Huff, “All Out of Me” showcases Kerr’s tender side as he delivers his gravel baritone vocals over light percussion and a sway-worthy melody. Lyrically, Kerr taps into the feeling of gratitude as someone who has finally found the perfect match after living the life of a wandering drifter before he found the one.
“I was a double shot of makers / A last call mistaker / A Friday night heartbreaker before you / I was an outskirts of towner / Goodbye on the counter / A never settle downer / Before you,” Kerr sings, calling out the person that he used to be before he found the long-term romantic connection he was looking for.
“This song is about a rambling man who meets his match and falls in love” Callum, a model, actor, and singer/songwriter, shared the message of the track in a press release. “He can’t help but blush about how much he’s changed. Sure, he misses the good old days, but nothing competes with what he’s found. It’s a classic acoustic-sounding love song with plenty of rugged imagery.”
Stream Callum Kerr’s “All Out of Me” HERE.
“Going West” — Peech.
Anyone who has packed their bags to chase a dream or to simply see what’s beyond the places they already know will resonate with Peech’s newest track “Going West.” The song is a reflective anthem that finds Peech exploring themes oflove, loss, and self-redemption.
Opening with soft acoustics and faint, dreamy synths, “Going West” gives a poetic depiction of a soul-searcher. As the tune progresses with lyrics backed by thunderous percussion and fast-paced strumming, Peech tells the story of leaving for something more but examines the regret of losing out on a relationship.
“I said some things I wish I would’ve / Told you back in August / I know I may have messed up everything we had going for us / If I could go back I would give you the best I can,” Peech sings apologetically.
“Going West” draws similarities to artists like The Lumineers, Zach Bryan, Mumford & Sons, and Bon Iver, solidifying Peech’s place as a rising star in Country, Folk, and Americana landscapes.
“‘Going West’ is about knowing when to walk away, but still holding on to hope,” Peech shared in a press release. “It’s my way of closing one chapter and opening another.”
Stream Peech’s “Going West” HERE.
“What Are Friends For?” — Avery Anna
Good friends are worth keeping, but the bad ones are worth weeding out. That’s the kind of epiphany Avery Anna seems to have in her brand new song “What Are Friends For?” Catching on to the toxicity of a gal pal that she calls a “snake in the grass,” Anna begs the question, “What are friends for? / What are friends for?”
“Friends should be loyal, honest, and kind / Thought that was us, never me, never mind / I’ll admit that I miss you, but we won’t reach out / We’re too stubborn, too broken to ever find out,” Anna sings the bridge of the song, realizing her value in a friendship that’s bound for failure.
“Girl drama is a real thing, and I love how that song captures the experience of feeling frustrated and betrayed and guilty all at the same time,” Avery said of the introspective ballad in a press release.
While the lyrics are simple enough to bring the message home, Anna’s sonic presentation of “What Are Friends For?” captivates the listener even further with the bass driving the melody and instruments like piano and strings filtering in throughout.
“What Are Friends For?” comes ahead of Anna’s upcoming sophomore album, let go letters, inspired by personal stories from the singer/songwriter and multi-talented musician’s fans. The collection, which features 14 tracks, is due out on May 16.
Stream Avery Anna’s “What Are Friends For?” HERE.
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