A soulful new Keith Urban (pictured) song about redemption headlines this week’s New Country Friday 5!
Kelsea Ballerini’s first ever drinking song is also featured along with new tunes from an exciting new Kane Brown discovery, Australian roots artist Andy Golledge and Canadian country rockstars Emerson Drive.
Here we go!
1. KEITH URBAN – ‘GOD WHISPERED YOUR NAME’
Keith Urban today unveiled his new tune, ‘When God Whispered Your Name.’
The song, written by James Slater, Shy Carter, Micah Carter and Chris August, is the follow-up to Keith’s ‘We Were,’ which he released last year.
Keith says he had to record the song the moment he heard it, especially since it hit so close to home.
“‘God Whispered Your Name’ really spoke to me the very first time I heard it,” says Urban.
“The opening line – I was so cold and lost/and nothing seemed to ring true – God, I know that place so well, and the rest of the song unfolded, and I just followed it every step of the way.”
“At the end of the day if I’m gonna record a song that I didn’t write, like this one, then it’s gonna be a song that speaks to me really strongly.
“‘God Whispered Your Name’ absolutely spoke to me and tells my journey in such a profound way going through a season in life of being very lost and lonely and confused and not knowing how to get out of that, and then the chorus hits — ‘God Whispered Your Name’ and everything starts to open up and become clear.”
“And that second verse when it said, ‘I can feel the sunshine for the first time in a while, again, was just, it just went right to the core of me.”
“And (it was) the most extraordinary song, and I just knew right then and there I had to get into the studio and record it.”
It was also announced today that Urban will host the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Check out ‘God Whispered Your Name’ by Keith Urban
2. KELSEA BALLERINI – ‘HOLE IN THE BOTTLE’
Kelsea Ballerini has finally released a drinking song!
But not a beer drinking tune.
This one is a little more classy. It’s a drinking song for those who love a fine glass of wine.
Ballerini also announced the full tracklisting for her new album Kelsea today.
It’s released on March 20.
Check out ‘Hole In the Bottle’ by Kelsea Ballerini
3. RESTLESS ROAD – ‘TAKE ME HOME’ WITH KANE BROWN
Kane Brown announced on social media earlier this week that he had just signed new trio Reckless Road to his record label.
He initially met the trio when competing on The X-Factor.
Brown is also collaborating with them on their debut single ‘Take Me Home’ which samples the John Denver classic, ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
The track’s new music video features shots of the trio working with Brown in the studio and singing the song with him on stage at his recent sold-out show in Los Angeles, mixed in with delightful shots of Restless Road walking around in the desert.
Check out ‘Take Me Home’ with Kane Brown by Restless Road
4. EMERSON DRIVE – ‘FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON’
They are one of country’s most under-rated bands, who have a US #1 to their name (remember ‘Moments?’).
Emerson Drive are back with the euphoric and uplifting new tune, ‘Footprints On The Moon.’
“Don’t tell me the Skys the limit, when there’s footprints on the moon” they sing.
If you’ve had any sort of set back recently, this song should help you get back on track.
It’s a cracker.
Check out ‘Footprints On The Moon’ by Emerson Drive
5. ANDY GOLLEDGE – ‘1170’
Described as a song that “drops you into the shoes of someone with a heavy mind and a troubled past,” ‘1170’ goes to radio stations today and is the latest single from Andy Golledge‘s new EP, titled Naomi.
It’s what you could describe as a sincere driving tune that sees Andy seamlessly slip into his trademark crushing falsetto and with harmonies from band mate Caitlin Harnett.
“1170 might be station you tune in to as you move from place to place… Hoping to outrun your worries, hoping for love, searching for peace of mind with the world and yourself – only to learn that your troubles are quite fond of travelling, too,” says Golledge.
Check out ‘1170’ by Andy Golledge
