First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos and albums that dropped this week.
Country saw duets aplenty this week! Blake Shelton and girlfriend Gwen Stefani team up for the stirring collab “Nobody But You,” featured on the country star’s new project Fully Loaded: God’s Country; while “The Git Up” singer Blanco Brown joins forces with Parmalee for the endearing “Just the Way.”
Meanwhile, newcomer Adam Doleac has released the infectious “Neon Fools,” while Morgan Myles tugs on the heartstrings with “I Believe,” a song released on the one-year anniversary of her late cousin’s death from brain cancer.
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Below, listen to some of the best new country music released this week.
Adam Doleac, “Neon Fools”
Doleac’s sultry falsetto impresses on the seductive “Neon Fools,” a song about a budding love affair. With ear-grabbing production and wavering guitar features accentuating Doleac’s mesmerizing vocals, “Neon Fools” serves as an introduction to the singer ahead of the release of his debut single “Famous” to radio on Jan. 13.
“This song is exactly what it is: Giving in to each other romantically, not because it’s right, but because of how right it feels,” Doleac says in a statement. “I think it’s safe to say that many of us have allowed the neon setting of a crowed club to fool us into getting involved in situations. And when folks hear this track, wherever it takes them, I hope they love it.”
Blake Shelton, “Nobody But You” feat. Gwen Stefani
Shelton enlists the help of his leading lady on the enchanting “Nobody But You,” a duet featured on his new album Fully Loaded: God’s Country out today (Dec. 13). On the soaring ballad of lifetime love, Shelton says he doesn’t want to set Stefani free because he doesn’t want to look back in 30 years and wonder who she married. “I don’t want to live without you/ I don’t want to even breathe/ I don’t want to dream about you/ I want to wake up with you next to me,” the pair sing.
Caroline Marquard, “Keep My Eyes on You”
Marquard stuns with the beautiful piano ballad “Keep My Eyes on You,” which will be featured on her debut EP due out next year. On the delicate love song penned with Jordan Lehning and Jase Blankfort, the singer/songwriter highlights her descriptive songwriting and airy vocals.
“’Keep My Eyes on You’ is one of the songs I hold dearest to my heart because I’ve felt the feeling of holding on tight to someone you love — for better or worse — more than once,” the Swiss/American says in a statement. I hope people can connect with it and see someone or something they love in this story too.”
Morgan Myles, “I Believe”
Earlier this week Myles released the emotional “I Believe,” a song written in remembrance of her late cousin and grandfather. Myles’ soulful vocals shine on the uplifting tune in which she shares the lessons she learned from her cousin alongside backing vocalists that recall a gospel choir. The standout track is a preview of the singer’s upcoming debut album, Therapy, out Jan. 17 and produced by Corey Crowder and Jason Mater.
“Music is Therapy. Music has a way of reaching people even in their most darkest, hardest times. When we are in those times we reach a place of isolation. Music is something we can independently reach for when we are so alone and feel completely helpless,” Myles says in a statement. “Sometimes that one song might empower us enough to start talking, to start reaching out to ultimately start the healing process. That is what this music did for my soul, while writing through the pain… and it is what pulled me out of that pain afterwards.”
Parmalee “Just the Way” feat. Blanco Brown
With a message that’s reminiscent of Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are,” Parmalee and Blanco Brown deliver an uplifting tune to country fans ahead of the holiday season. Parmalee’s Matt Thomas and Brown trade lead vocals on the endearing song, which they debuted onstage during Sunday Night Football’s halftime on Dec. 1. “I love you just the way God made you, girl, he don’t make mistakes/ What you call your imperfections I call beautiful babe,” they sing on the chorus of the self-acceptance anthem.