Single Reviews – Page 26 – Country Universe

Single Review: Brothers Osborne, “21 Summer”

November 8, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 3

Written by John Osborne, T.J. Osborne, and Craig Wiseman

This sounds like what Chris Isaak would sound like if he was contractually obligated to record bro-country.

Single Review: Jennifer Nettles, “Hey Heartbreak”

November 7, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 4

When the discussion turns to the great female vocalists of our time, one name is usually left off of the list.

Single Review: Beyoncé featuring The Chicks, “Daddy Lessons”

November 6, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 20

The triumphant return of the Dixie Chicks. Is there anything Beyoncé can’t do?

Single Review: LeAnn Rimes, “How to Kiss a Boy”

October 28, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 6

This song is absolutely gorgeous, and so is LeAnn Rimes’ tender and vulnerable reading of it.

Single Review: Little Big Town, “Better Man”

October 27, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 14

A painfully honest exploration of the feelings created by a necessary breakup, “Better Man” is one of the best – and most original – singles of the year.

Single Review: Tami Neilson, “Holy Moses”

October 26, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 2

Neilson’s the proverbial unstoppable force, and the immovable object of heartbreak would do well just to get out of her way.

Single Review: Lauren Alaina, “Road Less Traveled”

October 25, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 4

The great irony of Lauren Alaina’s “Road Less Traveled” is that the song’s lyrics rely entirely on clichéd images and turns-of-phrase while attempting to empower individuality and personal expression.

Single Review: Margo Price, “Four Years of Chances”

October 24, 2016 Jonathan Keefe 4

What makes the song a should-be classic is Price’s performance, which is a masterful bit of interpretive singing.

Single Review: Tucker Beathard, “Momma and Jesus”

October 21, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 8

I’m beginning to suspect that enjoyment of contemporary country music requires a complete lack of familiarity with what came before it.

Single Review: Kelsea Ballerini, “Yeah Boy”

October 20, 2016 Kevin John Coyne 8

Nah, girl.