New Country Songs You Need To Hear Right Now: Roman Alexander, Karley Scott Collins, Tucker Beathard & More

It’s time to update your playlist.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

February 21, 2023

at

1:56 pm

Share on:

Roman Alexander, Karley Scott Collins, Tucker Beathard; Photos Provided

Country Now is offering a look into some of the hottest new releases. We have selected a list of stand-out tracks that will freshen up your country music playlist and maybe even introduce you to a new crop of artists as they continue rising to the top of their game.

This set of new tunes is updated weekly to provide the latest selection of heart-breaking ballads, windows-down party anthems, steady love stories and more.  

Here are eight new country songs you need to hear right now.

Matthew West With Granger Smith – “Greatest Hits

Matthew West celebrated the loved ones in his life with the release of his new song, “Greatest Hits” on Valentine’s Day. As the sole writer on this heartfelt track, West chose to incorporate the honest vocals of fellow country star, Granger Smith. Together, the pair celebrates the value of having a good support system from those who they consider their “Greatest Hits,” because, in their eyes, no amount of fame or success could compare to the love they have for their families. The track is featured on West’s double album, MY STORY YOUR GLORY, out on February 17. 

“I used to think that famous meant the roar of a crowd / But now the music to my ears is the laughter in this house / When my songs are sung and my days are done / May it all come back to this / You’ll go down in history as my greatest hits / Oh, you’ll go down in history as my greatest hits,” they deliver in the chorus.

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video

Roman Alexander – “Mess Me Up” 

Roman Alexander is encouraging the captivating feeling of a toxic love in his new song, “Mess Me Up.” Co-written by Alexander, GRAMMY-winning songwriter Josh Kerr and Jordan Minton and produced by Jared Keim and Josh Kerr, the addictive tune finds Alexander dancing around the idea of giving into temptations of the person who can’t seem to commit. His vocals soar to new heights as he chronicles the tale of a love story that struggles to reach the next step.

“I loved watching ‘Mess Me Up’ come to life in the studio,” Alexander shared. “Josh Kerr and Jared Keim were really able to give it a modern feel but still keep all the country undertones that I think pair well with how I like to sing it. The intro to the song is unmistakable.”

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video

Tucker Beathard – “Who I Am With You”

Tucker Beathard is breaking down walls and reflecting on the person who is changing him for the better in his most recent release, “Who I Am With You.” While praising his love interest for stripping away his “Bad boy rep,” Beathard’s comforting vocals offer a glimpse into the true talent that continues to emerge from his music. The singer/songwriter penned the new tune alongside Nathan Chapman and Jeffrey Steele, and unveiled it as the second release from his next project. 

“Being loved by someone else is scary,” said Beathard. “I think we run away from it, and reject it more than we realize. Because true sacrificial love changes you, and if you choose to accept it, that means letting someone other than yourself love you instead. It took a while before I finally realized, the love I was running from, was the love I was looking for and needed the whole time. God’s love. I had to see Him and past myself before I could even get a glimpse of who I really am.”

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video

Reid Haughton – “She Is” 

Inspired by his girlfriend, Reid Haughton’s newest track, “She Is,” reveals how he doesn’t take his loving relationship for granted. His twangy vocals flow through the tender melody that was written with friends John Morgan and Bryce Mauldin and produced by Sadler Vaden. Haughton promises to remain a good partner to ensure he never loses the one person who sees all the best parts of him as he sings, “She is everything I need / That I never knew I wanted / She is everything I want / That I never knew I needed.”

“I wrote ‘She Is’ on one of my first visits to Nashville, long before I ever had a publishing deal,” Haughton shared in a press statement. “I wrote it with John Morgan and Bryce Mauldin in the River House studio. Before it was even finished, the work tape sounded incredible and we knew we had a great song on our hands. It has been the favorite amongst people closest to me since it was written and I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video

BRELAND – “For What It’s Worth (feat. Alana Springsteen)”

For his new release, BRELAND reimagined his fan-favorite track, “For What It’s Worth.” This time, he added the stunning vocals of female powerhouse, Alana Springsteen. The fresh duet finds the pair cutting through the core of their emotions as they battle through the regret that takes over the memories of their former spark. Teaming up with Grammy-winning hitmaker Liz Rose, Springsteen also added her own take with a new verse she wrote to capture the other side of the what-could-have-been relationship.

“When I first put out ‘For What It’s Worth,’ the overwhelming response came from women who wished their exes would own up to their mistakes in this way,” BRELAND explained. “I immediately knew a woman’s perspective would take the song to another level. Alana Springsteen is a newer face in Country music, but one that I believe people will be seeing for a long time. She sings some of my favorite breakup songs, and it felt like a natural fit to bring her in on ‘For What It’s Worth.’ Unsurprisingly, she delivered an amazing verse and added the flavor that was needed. Hopefully people appreciate our take on the song the way I do.”

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video

Karley Scott Collins – “Petty in the 80s”

Karley Scott Collins is letting her nostalgic side take the lead as she tips her hat to Tom Petty in her new track, “Petty in the 80s.” Penning the track with Brock Berryhill and Josh Miller, the rising country star erupts into the upbeat tune with a sense of purpose and freedom through her unchanging gritty vocals. As her first release of 2023, “Petty in the 80s” serves as a stand-out as it showcases the excitement of a budding love story. 

“I have a habit of really overthinking things in my life, especially when it comes to love,” shares Collins. “’Petty in the 80s’ is about doing the exact opposite of that, just having fun, letting go, and letting yourself free fall. I’m a huge fan of Tom Petty and he’s always been a massive inspiration for the music I write, so it’s really cool and fun for me to get to reference and honor his music through this song.”

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video

The Cadillac Three – “Hillbilly (ft. Elvie Shane and Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show)”

The Cadillac Three dropped their first new release in nearly two years with “Hillbilly.” This song features guest vocals from chart-topping singer-songwriter Elvie Shane and mastered fiddling from Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. The group welcomes their return with a ground-breaking new take on their genre-bending tactics. Through their rocking vocals and clever storytelling, “Hillbilly” cautions pushing the limit too far as they sing, “Before them pills and the corn mash whisky / Leave you six feet deep on that hill, Billy.”

“On the surface, ‘Hillbilly’ is a party anthem, but it hits differently than many of our songs because we’re encouraging some introspection with this one,” frontman Jaren Johnston shared. “We’ve been known to have a good time most of the time, so it’s certainly not us trying to tell anyone how to live their life, but it’s a song about knowing where the line is and when you’ve gone too far. Sometimes you can live on the edge a little too long and you need to come back down from the high.”

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video

The Pretty Wild – “Bettin’ On Us”

With their new song, “Bettin’ On Us,” sisters Jill and Julia Wylde of The Pretty Wild revisit their roots that were planted in their hometown of Las Vegas. The duo co-wrote their latest track with Ben Williams and Colin Healey with the intention of persuading their listeners to go after their dreams no matter who might be trying to stand in their way. While it may be a gamble, they emphasize how much reward can come from the risk of stepping outside of your comfort zone every now and then. Their soaring vocals paired with the motivating melody of the hard-hitting country-rock anthem solidifies their true talent that’s worth taking a “one-in-a-million” chance on.

“I’m over all the underestimating / ‘Cause you can’t win nah if you don’t play,” they sing in the chorus. “I’m sick of all the nah you’ll never make its / ‘Cause I know damn well we gon’ win this game / Am I crazy? A little, maybe / With a little hard work and luck, I’m bettin’ on us.”

Stream the track HERE.

YouTube video
Share on:

Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.