A tender ode of acceptance and reassurance from Rissi Palmer and Eric Lee, a powerful song from Erin Enderlin and Randy Houser aimed at uplifting those facing deep-seated emotional battles linked to military service, and a stark look at struggles of everyday Americans from Colby Acuff are on this week’s crop of new tunes.
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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.
Erin Enderlin feat. Randy Houser, “When You Look at Me”
Premier singer-songwriter Erin Enderlin (known for writing songs recorded by Reba, Alan Jackson and The War and Treaty) teams with soul-stirring vocalist Randy Houser (“Like a Cowboy”) for this powerfully vulnerable song about excavating the invisible, emotional battles that numerous military members keep hidden. Erin wrote the song with veterans Tanja Struyck-Fogleman and Brent Fogleman as part of the SongwritingWith: Soldiers program, which pairs songwriters with military veterans to help them craft songs meant to connect and heal. “I’m walking ’round in memories you don’t know nothing about/ Sometimes I’m not okay and I need that to be okay,” they sing, and in the process, shine a light on experiences shared by many.
Charley Crockett, “Crucified Son”
Crockett previews his forthcoming album Dollar a Day on this stellar outing, thanks to his transcendent, ageless country sound. Ace guitar riffs and tambourines mesh into a relaxed but supremely confident groove, riding alongside Crockett’s gritty, elastic vocal phrasing. He reflects on moments of betrayal “They call me friends/ And drive nails into my name.” Still, Crockett infuses the song with his signature soulful musical swagger.
Rissi Palmer and Eric Lee, “For Who You Are”
Palmer and Lee join forces on this quietly powerful ballad. Framed as a vow of unwavering support, the song blends lyrics of resilience and love to become a balm, even when outside forces attempt to discredit and diminish. “They try to cut you down ’cause you stand taller in the yard,” they sing, as the song becomes a luminous showcase for Palmer’s ethereal upper register, balanced by Lee’s husky timbre. The song is a quiet-yet-steely battle cry of support in trying, awry times.
Chase Rice and Wyatt McCubbin, “Two-Tone Trippin’”
Rice links up with McCubbin (who has penned hits for Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs) for a backroad burner that feels custom-built for summer weekends and roadtrips. Anchored by a swampy acoustic guitar riff and a burly-yet-laid back percussion, the song features Rice and McCubbin Rice etching vivid details of the memories made in a two-tone truck with its “third gear slippin’,” and “radiator hotter than a grease fire kitchen.”
Colby Acuff, “Average American”
As America celebrated its 249th birthday over the weekend, Acuff issued a song that delivered a stark look at how the so-called “American Dream” is increasingly difficult to obtain for so many. He depicts the struggles of many everyday Americans, including fading opportunities, skyrocketing costs of living, and rising debt levels from costly degrees that have a dwindling return on investment. At one point, he sings of families who take their shot on lottery tickets, adding “You’ve got a better shot to win than own a piece of land.” Originally written by Chandler Brown, Holden James and Noah Gunderson, Acuff contributed writing to the song’s second verse. The song offers a skewering reminder of just some of the myriad of changes the country desperately needs.
