First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos and albums that dropped this week.
Country music’s versatility is showcased well this week with countless new songs that highlight the genre’s growing influences. Kane Brown teams up with John Legend for “Last Time I Say Sorry,” a stirring piano ballad of regret, while newcomers Essex County – country music’s British invasion made up of brothers Nate, Mark and Kieran Bass – introduce themselves to the genre with their harmony-driven debut single “So Good.”
Recent Billboard Chartbreaker artist Ingrid Andress releases her standout debut album Lady Like today (March 27), while Lainey Wilson shares her infectious ode to Dolly Parton “WWDD.”
Meanwhile, Jordan Davis returns with the heartfelt “Detours,” the first taste of new music off his forthcoming sophomore studio album, while Florida Georgia Line dropped their undeniable summer jam “I Love My Country” – a song Billboard’s First Stream aptly describes as “the song that will get you excited for cookout season.”
Below are several tracks to spin this weekend.
Essex County, “So Good”
England natives Essex County mark their foray into the American country scene with their standout debut single “So Good.” The track highlights the band’s stunning three-part harmonies while the trio sing of past regrets. The song was produced by Grammy-winning producer Ron Fair and written by Ryan Beaver, Jon McLaughlin and the late Andrew Dorff, who was a close friend of the band’s.
“It’s such a beautiful moment all these years later to bring to life the music he created,” frontman Nate Bass said in a statement about the song Dorff co-wrote. “It’s in homage to him … You can see yourself in it. Everyone looks back and reminisces and wishes they had done something different. Hindsight would be a wonderful thing – if you could go back and fix your mistakes.”
Ingrid Andress, Lady Like
Andress impresses with her debut album, Lady Like. The personal project highlights the singer’s adept songwriting on tracks like the deeply confessional “Both” — where she tells a boy he can either be a casual lover or fully commit but can’t do both — and the evocative “The Stranger.”
The throwback-fused “Bad Advice” further showcases Andress’ tongue-in-cheek mentality while she sings of now being good at drinking after a friend suggested opening up a bottle of merlot to get over an ex. The album is anchored by Andress’ standout debut single “More Hearts Than Mine” with additional highlights including the confessional and all too relatable “Anything But Love.” One of country’s brightest new stars, Andress’ Lady Like proves to be one of the most memorable releases of 2020.
Jordan Davis, “Detours”
Davis wears his heart on his sleeve in the deeply confessional song “Detours.” The poignant ballad has the Louisiana native singing of his checkered past before he found his wife alongside delicate piano and acoustic guitar accompaniment. The song hits home even more now for Davis, who is a first-time father to daughter Eloise.
“This song is probably one of my favorites I’ve ever written,” shares Davis in a statement. “My life has changed so much since I moved to Nashville. From meeting Kristen, getting married and having Eloise to signing a record deal, landing back to back No. 1s and touring the country playing for fans, I pinch myself every day that this is my life. I’m so blessed and so grateful for all of the detours that led me to today.”
Kane Brown, John Legend “Last Time I Say Sorry”
Kane Brown teams up with John Legend for the much anticipated duet “Last Time I Say Sorry.” A soaring piano ballad that the pair have been teasing for quite some time, the track highlights Brown and Legend’s mesmerizing harmonies. A story song of a couple’s tumultuous relationship, Legend and Brown showcase their willingness to work through the struggles with their respective significant others.
“Last Time I Say Sorry” was co-written by Brown, Legend, Matt McGinn and Andrew Goldstein. The song came together shortly after Brown and Legend connected backstage at The Voice where Legend served as a couch and Brown performed previous single “Homesick.”
Lainey Wilson, “WWDD”
In these dark times sometimes you have to ask, “What would Dolly do?” This is exactly the question behind Wilson’s undeniable new jam “WWDD.” The singer has been playing the song out in her live show over the past few months and knew she had to release it to the world, complete with a feel-good video that features Wilson singing into her hairbrush.
“I don’t know anyone who don’t love Dolly,” Wilson says in a statement. “From her sense of humor, to her look, to her songwritin’, to her singin’ to how she has such an incredible giving heart, to how she’s an awesome businesswoman…Dolly does everything just a little better with a little bow on top. Dolly is an international icon and role model for a lot of folks around the world, so it’s an easy song for a lot of people to relate to.”
