New Country Songs You Need To Hear Right Now: Lily Rose, Brett Young, Mackenzie Carpenter & More

As the year comes to a close, the final few rounds of new releases dive into all the different emotions that come with the holidays. Some make their way home to catch up with old friends, reflect on past relationships and do some baking, while others just take the chance to slow things down and enjoy the present. This week, listeners are hearing from a slew of artists rising to the top of their game like Austin Burke, Laci Kaye Booth, and Brooke Moriber, as they’ve recently dropped new music. 

From candid breakups to lighthearted fun and some much-needed reflection, Country Now is sharing its brand-new list of stand-out tracks that has something for everyone’s playlist.

Here are eight songs you need to hear right now.

Austin Burke with Tim Hicks and Southbound xo – “Buy You A Drink” 

Austin Burke teamed up with Canadian country artist, Tim Hicks and Southbound xo from Australia for the recording of his new song, “Buy You A Drink.” This global collaboration leads with a pop-country track as the artists deliver a story of two old friends who grab a drink and catch up on their lives since they last talked. Produced by Brandon Day, and co-written by Burke, Hicks, and Southbound xo members Missy Lancaster and Sarah Bernardo, “Buy You A Drink” embodies a familiar narrative throughout the inviting vocals. 

“I had such a great experience writing and recording this song with Tim Hicks and Southbound xo. I think it shows how big the heart of country music really is,” shares Burke. “I’ve always known that country music is bigger than the south with my west coast inspired sound but I think everyone will quickly see that this song is even bigger than that!” 

Halle Kearns – “Moment”

In Halle Kearns new song, “Moment,” her dreamy vocals strike a chord with anyone who has experienced the feeling of wanting to slow down life a bit and appreciate the present. Co-penend by Kearns with Andrew Capra and Mary Kutter, Kearns delivers a new take on the pressures that can come from looking to the future. She holds herself accountable for taking things one step at a time and eases into the delicacy of love, hope and a sense of adventure. 

“I don’t wanna miss out On what we got right now / The sunset, you in the driver’s seat / We’re right where we’re supposed to be / So if I ever get lost in / Thinking about what’s next / Remind me tomorrow’s gonna get where it’s going / And we only get this moment for a moment,” Kearns sings in the chorus.

Mackenzie Carpenter’s “Jesus I’m Jealous” 

Rising artist Mackenzie Carpenter delivers the painfully honest truth in her latest release, “Jesus I’m Jealous.” She paints a picture of the raw reality that is feeling a deep sense of loneliness, disappointment and a hint of jealousy from seeing other people fall in love around her. At the same time though, Carpenter’s airy vocals offer a sense of hope into the never-ending cycle of love and heartbreak. She also intertwines a sample of faith through a vulnerable conversation with God that begs the idea that there is a bigger plan at stake.

“I know you have a plan, and it’ll all work out some day / but tonight, it feels so far away…” she sings on a bridge before jumping into the vulnerable chorus, “Jesus I’m jealous, just had to tell you/ watching the two of them head over heels…I guess I was hoping I wouldn’t be lonely.”

Drake White – “Pound Cake”

Drake White has brought a bit of sweetness to his catalog with the release of his new track, “Pound Cake.” This lighthearted song was cooked up on the spot with White alongside Ben Chapman during White’s weekly “Wednesday Night Therapy” social media series. It takes on a comedic approach with its groovy vocals and a melody that’s smooth like butter. 

“This just started as a joke with my wife and Hannah Dasher on a Wednesday night when we were just trying to play to pass the time during the pandemic,” White shared on social media. “Then one thing leads to another and it’s out. So it’s a great story, i’s a funny thing. I love this part of making music, just letting the freedom of letting everything kind of flow.”

Brett Young – “You Ain’t Here To Kiss Me (2022)”

Brett Young first released his honest song, “You Ain’t Here To Kiss Me” on his 2017 self-titled album. This year, he has revamped the heartfelt track just in time for the holidays. Produced by Dan Huff and written by Young, Tiffany Goss, and Matt Alderman, his 2022 version was inspired by a real-life situation that happened between Young and his wife, Taylor Mills, years prior to their marriage. While revisiting this song, Young strips things down to shine a light on his raw narrative about dealing with heartbreak on New Year’s Eve, a night when couples seem to be in love everywhere you look. 

“I can be a very emotional songwriter and, for some reason, the sad, reflective songs, often come naturally for me,” Young shared. “The song is a true story about a situation my now wife and I had many years back – it just describes the feeling of missing someone and seeing everyone else around you in happy relationships. Dann Huff has been wanting to cut a new version of it for a while so we thought the timing was right to give it a bit of a new life around this coming New Year.”

Laci Kaye Booth – “Damn Good In A Dive Bar”

Laci Kaye Booth is showing off the true talent behind her songwriting with her latest tune, “Damn Good in a Dive Bar.” Booth sat down to write this song with Melissa Peirce and Ben West which was inspired by a conversation with an ex. As she reintroduces herself after parting ways from her record label, Big Machine Label Group, the country star is embracing her dreamy country sound with a heart full of confidence. She let’s her enchanting vocals and effortless melody do the talking as she romanticizes her love for a dive bar and all the people in it. 

“All eyes on the high-rise Levis in the low light / Boys say, ‘Hey there, ain’t you a sight’ / You can write my name in Sharpie on the wall / But you can’t take me home and then call it last call / Two dollar buzz, breaking nеon hearts / I look pretty damn good in a dive bar,” Booth sings in the chorus. 

Lily Rose – “Truth Is”

Reality hits hard as Lily Rose tackles the challenge of letting go of past relationships and finding new love in her song, “Truth Is.” Written by Rose, alongside long-time friends Stephen Carey, Matt Morrisey and Ian Christian, this song bares nothing short of the truth. As her impressive vocals soar through the candid lyrics, Rose lays every aspect of heartbreak out on the table as she refrains from stepping back into the memories of that past relationship that keeps her up at night. 

“We’ve all been in a place where you believe you are over someone or something, but you realize you’re lying to yourself. I hope fans feel like their experience that they’ve once felt, or are currently feeling, is explained in the three minutes of ‘Truth Is,” shares Rose. “I wrote this song with three of my favorite people, and being able to close out the year by celebrating my friends is a huge blessing.”

Brooke Moriber – “Grounded”

Brooke Moriber has been dosed with a heavy prescription of new perspective in her song, “Grounded.” Her sincere vocals take flight as she puts forth a meaningful message about returning home to loved ones who keep her humble. Written by Moriber alongside Reed Waddle and produced by Todd Lombardo, “Grounded” highlights the importance of keeping her feet on the ground, no matter where she is in life.

“‘Grounded’ is a song that I wrote while I was on the road feeling homesick, and I realized that something in me had changed,” said Moriber. “I used to be the kind of person who loved the excitement of airports and flying and feeling unattached, but now, nothing compares to the feeling of coming home to everything that really matters.”