This week, hitmakers Cody Johnson and Carín León pair up for a stone-cold, country-meets-Latin intertwining. Meanwhile, Tanner Adell releases one of the most powerful songs of her career with “Going Blonde.” Elsewhere, Cole Swindell brings a summer-ready new offering, while Laci Kaye Booth offers up a haunting new track. Steve Martin, Alison Brown and Tim O’Brien team up a new bluegrass outing, while duo Something Out West brings their latest rock-fueled offering.
Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of the best country, Americana and bluegrass songs of the week below.
Cody Johnson and Carín León, “She Hurts Like Tequila”
Cody Johnson and Carín León blend their signature sounds to put forth this slice of classic country punctuated with steel guitar and accordion, and English-meets-Spanish lyrics that accentuate the agility and passion in each artist’s voice. The two entertainers co-wrote the song with Johan Sotelo, Trent Willmon and Orlando Aispuro Meneses. Together, Johnson and León offer an intense rendering of this song praising a passionate lover whose affections are worth the heartbreaking pain that ultimately follows.
Tanner Adell, “Going Blonde”
With songs like “Buckle Bunny” and “FU-150,” Tanner Adell has become known for crafting and singing dance-worthy country-pop grooves that will anyone on the dancefloor. Her ethereal voice also appears on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter project. But with her latest, Adell shows another side to her story and artistry. She’s been open about being adopted, but here, Adell offers up a devastatingly honest song about the biological mother she never got to meet. “Going Blonde” chronicles her journey of longing for that maternal connection — even dyeing her hair blonde in a nod to her mother–while building up her own perceptions of her mother’s characteristics and persona in her mother’s absence. Written solely by Adell, “Going Blonde” showcases one of her most stunning, vulnerable vocals to date.
Laci Kaye Booth, “Daddy’s Mugshot”
Singer-songwriter Booth, who made her Grand Ole Opry debut on March 29, blends her gritty, bluesy vocal with a story arc of a defiant impulse that’s embedded deep in her bloodline. Over robust, glossy pop chords that balance her dusky vocals, she traces early-career music industry experiences, singing, “I made a record that didn’t break no records/ Only my soul,” then compares the resistance apparent in her father’s mugshot to her own rebellious streak in taking a chance on rebuilding her career on her own terms. This new track brims with confidence and steely determination.
Cole Swindell, “Spanish Moss”
Swindell’s latest is infused with sensual guitars to create this summery, carefree ballad that wraps in vivid imagery of breezy Southern coastlines and nights spent soaking in the summer heat. All in all, it makes for an easygoing track that pushes Swindell’s lilting twang into slightly sultrier territory than usual. He wrote the song with Devin Dawson, Jordan Minton and Jordan Reynolds, with production from Reynolds, Dawson and Jacob Durrett. “Spanish Moss” marks the title track to Swindell’s upcoming fifth studio album, out June 27 on Warner Music Nashville.
Steve Martin and Alison Brown (feat. Tim O’Brien), “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back”
Having previously collaborated on several songs including “Foggy Morning Breaking” and “Wall Guitar,” banjoists Alison Brown and Steve Martin reunite on their latest collaboration, teaming with vocalist and mandolinist Tim O’Brien for this heartfelt song about chasing musical dreams on a “5 days out, 2 days back” schedule while trying to stay connected with family back home. The song also features Bryan Sutton, Stuart Duncan, Todd Phillips and Vickie Vaughn. With superb harmonies and musicianship caressing the song and melding with O’Brien’s unmistakable leading voice, it infuses this song with a timeless resonance. “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back” is part of a new collection of music from Brown and Martin, which will be released on Compass Records.
Something Out West, “You Better Run”
Chet Hanks and Drew Arthur’s musical duo, Something Out West, has issued the latest preview of their upcoming EP, Leaving Hollywood, which releases June 20. “You Better Run” leans more heavily into the rock arena, with a mashup of bristling, pounding rock guitars and Hanks’s urgent, grainy vocal interlaced with lyrics such as “You’re running out of time/ On a ticking clock, she’ll be comin’ for you/ There’s no time to walk” Meanwhile, the music video builds on that lyrical theme by featuring Chet Hanks recreating scenes from his father Tom Hanks’ famous role in the 1994 Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks also makes a lengthy cameo in the clip).
