10/17/2026
Some surprise release this week, and a whole lot of new albums.
TOP SONG OF THE WEEK: Joe Nichols – Say La V(Radio Edit)
I’ve loved this song since it came out this summer, and I’m really hoping the radio edit means it’s finally headed to country radio. I kind of wish it had dropped in the spring so it could’ve had its big summer moment, but I’m just excited to see it get a chance to live its life because this song deserves way more love than it’s getting right now.
TOP ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Parker McCollum – Live From Sound City
Parker McCollum dropped Live From Sound City this week, giving some of his songs a stripped-back, acoustic feel that really lets the songwriting shine. I’m always a sucker for acoustic reworks, and Parker does a great job putting a different spin on these songs while still keeping what made them great in the first place.
HONORABLE MENTION OF THE WEEK: Emily Ann Roberts – Thread
Overall, I think Thread is a really great EP, but I’m still confused about why songs like “Whipped,” one of my all-time favorites from her, didn’t make the tracklist. She’s released some great music this year, and honestly, I feel like she had enough material for a full album, but I’ll take what I can get!
COUNTRY ADJACENT OF THE WEEK: Tiera Kennedy – “Point of View” (Greenhouse Sessions)
I’ve been a fan of Tiera since before COVID, back when she was putting out a lot of country music, and her country catalog is absolutely worth revisiting. “Point of View” leans more into the Christian music space she seems to be exploring lately, but if you haven’t checked out her earlier country stuff, go back and give it a listen because there are some really good songs in there.
Randy Travis – “I Know Where I’d Be Without You”
That classic Randy Travis sound we all love. I also love that these songs from the vault are keeping the production true to the era they were written and recorded in. I can’t wait for this new album.
Cody Johnson & Jay Buchanan – “Rabbit Gets the Gun”
Such a fun, upbeat song that I honestly wasn’t expecting! I can already picture this one being a blast to sing live, and I could see it getting some vocal event n