Nine Country Music Songs You Need To Hear This Week Featuring Thomas Rhett, Jackson Dean, Lauren Watkins, Dylan Gossett & More

Thomas Rhett -  ABOUT A WOMAN (& A Good Ol’ Boy).

Thomas Rhett is back and bolder than ever with the second installment of his genre-blending summer song series, About A Woman (& A Good Ol’ Boy). The country hitmaker continues to surprise fans with a three-song drop that captures the richness of life, love, and letting go all wrapped in a rootsy, Southern-soaked sonic tapestry. After years of chart-topping success, Rhett seems to have hit a new stride, leaning into a more instinctive, feel-good groove that balances lyrical maturity with playful abandon. This batch, anchored by features from Jordan Davis and Blake Shelton, feels like a man fully settled into who he is and more importantly, who he’s not trying to be. The set kicks off with “Ain’t a Bad Life,” a soulful slow-burn featuring Jordan Davis. Drenched in the golden hues of 1970s Southern rock, the track finds Rhett shedding the pressures of modern life in favor of back-porch wisdom and rich simplicity. With the shimmer of a 12-string guitar and vocals steeped in warmth, he sings of swapping the rat race for front-porch freedom. It’s gratitude wrapped in groove and it might be one of his most sonically daring offerings yet. On “Old Tricks,” Rhett calls in the big guns with Blake Shelton for a rowdy honky-tonk revival. The track raises a glass to the well-worn rituals of a good time, bringing together two of country’s most charismatic personalities for a tongue-in-cheek romp through barstool nostalgia. With an irresistible melody and toe-tapping energy, it’s a nod to how the old ways, and old friends, still have plenty of kick. Rounding out the trio is “Bottle With Your Name On It,” a flirtatious, foot-stomping track that proves Rhett hasn’t lost his knack for delivering country charm with a pop-savvy twist. Powered by a stomp-and-clap rhythm and laced with sly romantic swagger, the track finds Rhett channeling his inner backwoods Bruno Mars. It’s fun, fearless, and undeniably Rhett. With About A Woman (& A Good Ol’ Boy), Thomas Rhett isn’t just keeping playlists fresh he’s redefining what summer country can sound like. These tracks mark a confident evolution, one where he stays grounded in his roots while letting his artistry stretch in unexpected directions. At this point in his career, Thomas Rhett doesn’t need to prove anything. And that’s exactly what makes this new music so compelling. It’s carefree, creative, and entirely his own.

Lauren Watkins - Marlboro Man

Lauren Watkins knows her way around a memory. With the release of her newest single, "Marlboro Man", she taps into a smoky strand of nostalgia that wraps itself around the soul like a well-worn denim jacket. It's a hauntingly romantic ode to a mythic kind of cowboy part dream, part dust trail and it may just be the best song she’s delivered to date. Written by Watkins alongside masterful storytellers Natalie Hemby and Jeremy Spillman, and produced by ACM and CMA award-winner Will Bundy, "Marlboro Man" isn’t chasing trends. It’s leaning hard into timelessness. A slow burn in the best sense, the track rides the line between memory and mirage, where love is fleeting but unforgettable, and the cowboy never stays long enough to unpack his saddlebags. Watkins paints with soft brushstrokes, conjuring a man who smells of smoke and freedom, who exists somewhere between the pages of an old western novel and the rearview mirror. Her voice carries the weight of knowing better and wishing anyway, laced with the kind of wistfulness that only comes from lived-in experience. Sonically, "Marlboro Man" is cinematic. From the gentle swell of the steel guitar to the subtle build of the chorus, made for backroad drives at golden hour and open-air singalongs under county fair lights, the song feels like a modern classic. Bundy’s production doesn’t try to over-polish it. Instead, it lets the mood linger like the curl of smoke after a match is struck. Lauren Watkins has been steadily proving herself as one of country music’s most captivating new voices, and "Marlboro Man" solidifies that reputation. It’s storytelling soaked in Americana, heartbreak, and a hint of danger. And much like the cowboy she sings about, it leaves a mark long after it’s gone.

Jackson Dean - Turn On The Lights

Jackson Dean has always had a knack for channeling the soul of rural America. With his new single “Turn On The Lights,” out now via Big Machine Records, the rising country powerhouse paints an evocative portrait of youth, grit, and gridiron glory, a nostalgic slow burn that echoes long after the final whistle. The track centers around Billy, a small-town high school football standout whose home life is unremarkable, but under the Friday night lights, he becomes something more. For 48 minutes every week, he is untouchable not just a teenager in cleats, but a symbol of hope and hometown pride. Dean doesn’t just tell Billy’s story. He lets us feel it, the nerves before kickoff, the roars from the stands, the quiet ache of knowing these golden moments are fleeting. “Turn On The Lights” is steeped in reverence for the dreams that form in the shadows of water towers. The production is cinematic, led by thunderous drums that pulse like a countdown clock and guitar lines that shimmer with anticipation. But it's Dean’s voice, gritty and full of lived-in sincerity that seals the song’s emotional depth. Each lyric is laced with both hope and heaviness, mirroring the double-edged beauty of youthful ambition. More than a football song, “Turn On The Lights” is a salute to the dreams that burn bright in forgotten corners of America. It’s about the fleeting nature of glory, the longing to be seen, and the magic that lives between the hash marks and goalposts on any given fall night. In a time where so much country music leans into digital gloss, Dean brings back the dust, the sweat, and the poetry of the overlooked. “Turn On The Lights” isn’t just a song. It’s a story about purpose, belonging, and the way a town can come alive with a single flick of the switch. Once again, Jackson Dean proves why he’s not just a voice to watch, he’s a voice that matters.

Dylan Gossett - Westward

In a year already packed with promising new voices, few debuts have landed with the weight, warmth, and wisdom of Westward, the striking 17-track introduction from Texas singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett. Out now, the album boldly carves out space for Gossett as one of 2025’s most essential new artists, fusing Americana grit, Red Dirt soul, and a songwriter’s clarity into a deeply personal ride through the heartland of human emotion. Gossett’s not just staking his claim, he’s building his homestead. Westward is more than an album title. It’s a statement of intent. It’s the compass he follows through the highs, heartbreaks, reckonings, and redemptions that fuel his Texas-rooted sound. Westward invites listeners into the cab of the truck and lets them feel every bump in the road. It’s a record of substance and spirit, the kind of debut that doesn’t just impress; it sticks. Take “Hangin’ On,” a standout track brimming with brisk acoustic strums and a restless energy. Gossett captures the tension between staying put and chasing the next horizon with a singalong-ready chorus: “'Cause I’ll be gone in time, so I’ll just toe the line.” It’s raw. It’s real. It’s the type of hook that feels lived-in before the second listen.Then there’s “Snake Eyes,” a gamble on love that rolls out with aching honesty. “What do you know, it’s snake eyes,” he sings, turning chance into heartbreak. With lines like “Don’t act like I’ve got nothing to lose,” Gossett finds the vulnerability that separates good country songs from great ones. Every track feels carved from the Texas soil, yet there’s a universality in his pen.  “Baptized By Rain,” may be the album’s finest moment, a tender, introspective finale that proves sometimes healing isn’t loud. It’s the quiet resilience found in a passing storm. “I push it all away, while I’m getting baptized by rain,” he sings, a single line that holds the weight of an entire album. Across all 17 tracks, Gossett proves himself not just a songwriter, but a world-builder. There’s storytelling, sure, but there’s also texture, atmosphere, and an emotional arc that runs deeper than most artists achieve in a decade, let alone a debut. With its lyrical depth, sonic cohesion, and unshakable sense of self, this album is more than a career launchpad. It’s a top ten contender for Album of the Year and an early classic in the making. In a world increasingly full of noise, Westward is a quiet triumph, honest, brave, and unforgettable. Dylan Gossett isn’t just chasing a dream. He’s bringing it home.

Braxton Keith - Baby You Do

Braxton Keith is no stranger to late-night heartache, but with his new single “Baby You Do,” the West Texas troubadour takes heartbreak to another level, one drenched in memory, longing, and the kind of pain that lingers like smoke after last call. With one of the most charismatic and dynamic new voices in country music, Keith leans into his Lone Star roots and barroom storytelling with signature style. “Baby You Do,” captures the ache of a love that won't let go, not in dreams, not in daylight, and certainly not in song. That ghost looms large across the track, with Keith’s velvet twang echoing through a slow-burning arrangement that’s equal parts whiskey-soaked and soul-searching. The production is sparse but evocative, leaving plenty of room for his emotion to do the heavy lifting. It’s the kind of song that feels both deeply personal and universally familiar, a midnight confession with a jukebox heartbeat. Rooted in traditional country but never afraid to color outside the lines, Keith has built a growing fanbase with his earnest lyrics, magnetic presence, and Texas-sized stage energy. With “Baby You Do,” he proves he’s more than just a showman, he’s a storyteller with grit and grace, unafraid to confront the ghosts of his past. Full of honky-tonk regret and rodeo romance, “Baby You Do” is poised to become a staple in Keith’s live set, a lonesome lullaby for anyone who’s ever tried to outrun the memory of a love that just won’t leave.

Randall King - I Keep Your Memory Around

If anyone’s flying the flag for traditional country music in the modern era, it’s Randall King. A rising torchbearer for old-school twang and tear-stained storytelling, King’s latest release, “I Keep Your Memory Around,” further cements his place among today’s most authentic country voices, and hints that something big is brewing with a new album on the horizon. Written by seasoned hitmakers Drew Parker, Adam Craig, and Matt Rogers, “I Keep Your Memory Around” is a masterclass in restraint, heartbreak, and emotional clarity. A slow-burning ballad built on steel-soaked sorrow and one of the best vibratos in the business, the song honors the kind of hurt country music was built on: the kind that lingers long after goodbye. The track finds King occupying the aching space between holding on and letting go, a theme that runs like a thread through the genre’s deepest cuts. Whether you're mourning the loss of a loved one, nursing a broken heart, or just have a soft spot for the sounds of classic country, this one cuts deep, and it cuts clean. Delivered with raw honesty and a rich vocal that echoes country’s golden age, King sings like someone who’s lived every word. There’s no overproduction, no tricks, just storytelling, steel, and sincerity. In a time when country radio often leans pop, King stays rooted in the dusty trails of Bakersfield and the barrooms of Texas. While others chase trends, Randall King is chasing truth. And in doing so, he’s becoming something country music always needs: a keeper of the flame.

Ryan & Rory - Them Boots

Country’s boldest new duo keeps the party moving from riverbank to red dirt backroad in their latest single. Country music has long thrived on chemistry, whether it’s between a singer and a story, a boot and a dance floor, or, in rare and refreshing moments, two artists who just click. Enter Ryan and Rory, a magnetic duo injecting a much-needed jolt of energy and swagger into the genre with their new single “Them Boots.” Packed with tongue-in-cheek charm and a beat made for kicking up dust, “Them Boots” isn’t your average country barroom anthem. Instead, it celebrates the kind of downhome dancing that happens far away from neon lights and velvet ropes. Whether it’s on a tailgate, a riverbank, or in the middle of a sunbaked backroad, this track is an all-access invitation to groove like nobody’s watching. What sets “Them Boots” apart is its effortless blend of grit and fun. The production thumps with a rhythm that feels like a call to the wild, while the lyrics wink knowingly at the lifestyle of those who don’t wait on a DJ to get a party started. This is music made for movement, for the folks who’d rather two-step in dirt than line dance under strobes. Ryan and Rory bring a natural synergy to the mic, trading lines and harmonies with the ease of longtime friends and the edge of tomorrow’s headliners. Their sound is both contemporary and rooted, playful without ever losing its punch. With charisma to burn and boots built for more than just walking, Ryan and Rory are stepping into country’s spotlight and they’re bringing the dance floor with them.

Scoot Teasley - Tower Road

Rising country artist Scoot Teasley is proving that home truly is where the heart is. With his new single “Tower Road,” Teasley pens a tender tribute to the small-town street that raised him, delivering a song rooted in gratitude, legacy, and love for the people who shaped his journey. Co-written by Teasley alongside Forrest Finn and Dawson Edwards and produced by Brett Truitt, “Tower Road” is more than just a nod to a childhood address. It’s a deeply personal anthem, painted with emotional brushstrokes and layered with the warmth of family memories. The track opens with the crackling voice of Teasley’s own grandfather, an intimate detail that immediately pulls listeners into the heart of the story. That sense of home is palpable in every lyric and every note. The melody rolls easy like a front porch swing, while the lyrics weave stories of neighborly love, unspoken bonds, and the kind of small-town values that country music holds close. There’s a universal truth in Teasley’s storytelling, even if you’ve never been to Tower Road, you’ve known a place like it. As a rising voice in country music, Teasley continues to carve his own lane, blending heartfelt songwriting with a clear sense of identity. “Tower Road” isn’t just a song for his community, it’s a song for anyone who’s ever been shaped by theirs.

Rachel LaRen - Small Town Beauty Queen 

In a genre steeped in storytelling, Rachel LaRen arrives with a voice that feels both familiar and brand new. With her latest single, “Small Town Beauty Queen”, she steps confidently into the spotlight, delivering a song that’s as unvarnished and radiant as the small towns it celebrates. LaRen, a rising force in country music, is making waves for all the right reasons. Her voice, gritty, graceful, and grounded, carries the weight of lived experience. And in Small Town Beauty Queen”, she lays it all bare. “I grew up in a small town with a lot of contrast beauty and brokenness all in the same place,” LaRen shares. “This song is about owning every piece of who you are, even the parts that don’t shine all the time. It’s for the people who might not fit the mold, but still wear their crown.” That perspective runs deep through every note and lyric. Rather than chase perfection, LaRen embraces the cracks and contradictions that make someone real. The titular “Beauty Queen” isn’t polished and pageant-ready. She’s more likely to be found in a ballcap than a tiara, more steel-toed boots than stilettos. But her crown, figurative and fierce is no less regal. The track pulses with understated power. There’s a touch of fiddle, a whisper of steel, and a steady groove that allows LaRen’s vocals to take center stage. It’s not trying to be flashy. Instead, it’s honest, heartfelt, and, ultimately, unforgettable. Rachel LaRen delivers more than just a song. She offers a mirror to those who have never seen themselves in the polished edges of Nashville’s mainstream. And she does it with the kind of grace that doesn’t need to sparkle to shine.

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