As many readers gear up for a massive snowstorm, you might be stuck inside. But in the wise words of Sam Hunt, "If you're gonna be a homebody / We're gonna have a house party"and our New Music Friday playlist is the perfect soundtrack.

Dive into fresh tracks from heavy hitters like Harry Styles’ first taste of his fourth album, country heartthrob Parker McCollum, powerhouse Ashley McBryde, and Chelsea Cutler, plus talented newcomers who are blasting onto the scene. So, crank up the volume, curl up with a warm drink, and let us know...did your favorite artist make the party playlist?

Harry Styles – "Aperture" 

Harry Styles returns with "Aperture," a sleek, club-ready lead single from his upcoming album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. It’s a moodier, more electronic turn after the warm pop of Harry’s House. Vocally, he’s relaxed, slightly slurred, and filtered in a way that fits the nightclub haze. It opens with a thin electronic beat, builds into a pulse-pounding pre-chorus, then bursts into the big, sing-along “We belong together.” It’s the kind of line that will sound enormous in arenas and irresistible on the radio.The music video doubles down on the smoky, neon-lit club vibe, matching the song’s intimacy-meets-anthem energy. And yes, the Harries are already swooning. This new sound gives fans exactly the blend of cool, chemistry, and emotional lift they crave.

Paul Minnich – "Pull Me Through"

Paul Minnich’s "Pull Me Through" feels like a late-night conversation – warm, a little messy, and impossible to ignore. Honestly, he’s someone to watch in 2026. Trading polish for grit, he throws you right into that electric moment where you know what you should do but your heart keeps arguing, and his voice carries the uncertainty in a way that feels real, not staged. The chorus lands like a quiet confession instead of a big showpiece, and the whole track paints that scene so clearly. The song is about that split-second moment when your heart and head are at war over whether to give in to a risky attraction. It’s a vulnerable plea for someone to help pull you through the uncertainty. The country storyteller is destined to be on country radio. 

Lori Rayne –  "I Don't Drink"

Lori Rayne’s I Don’t Drink EP leans into gritty alt-country with thicker-than-usual guitars and a raw, live feel.  Think soulful vocals cutting through a rollicking honky-tonk stomp. Fans should give it a spin if they like country that isn’t afraid to get rough around the edges. These songs trade polish for personality, building energy through hooks, big guitar riffs, and honest storytelling. What sets Rayne apart is that blend of Southern-rooted lyricism and a rebellious, almost rock-leaning production. She sounds like someone comfortable pushing past tradition while still honoring the melodies and narratives that made her start singing in the first place. The title track flips the Friday-night script, celebrating the high-energy release of a night out without alcohol. 

Tiera Kennedy – "The Giver"

Tiera Kennedy’s new single "The Giver" lands like a warm, reassuring hug. A soulful blend of R&B, country, and gospel that feels both intimate and cinematic. Kennedy’s honeyed melodies and honest lyricism make surrender sound brave rather than bitter, and the song’s gentle build lets you sit with the message: you don’t have to carry everything alone. Co-written with Taylor Hill and Lauren Scott, the track balances personal testimony with universal comfort, and Kennedy’s voice carries the conviction of someone who’s found peace in purpose. It’s the kind of song you press play on when you need to breathe, slow down, and remember you’re not walking your path solo.

Ashley McBryde – "What If We Don’t"

If you haven’t heard Ashley McBryde’s new single "What If We Don’t," give it a listen. This track hits you right away. It’s anthemic and big-sounding but born from a quiet back‑porch conversation about the choices we make (or don’t), so it’s equal parts raw honesty and stadium-sized emotion. McBryde’s raw, urgent voice pulls you into a song about leaps of faith and living with the consequences, and the Brandon Campbell‑directed video, framed as an EMDR therapy flashback and inspired by a true story,  makes the story even more powerful. In short, it’s for overthinkers, for anyone who needs to feel seen, and for listeners who want a song that makes you feel and think at the same time.

Mitchell Tenpenny - "You Phase"

Mitchell Tenpenny’s "You Phase" is one of those songs that sneaks up on you. It's clever wordplay at its finest, turning the idea of a "phase" into an entire relationship, and it’s refreshingly original. You can hear how intentional the writing session was; the lyric hooks into that universal feeling of going through phases in life and love, trying to figure out who you are. Mitchell’s gritty vocals give the story real texture, and his knack for sharp, empathetic songwriting cuts deep without being overblown. It’s a strong reminder of why he’s become a household name – consistent, emotionally resonant, and clearly nowhere near slowing down.

Hudson Westbrook – Exclusive 

If you’re into modern Texas country with real songwriting at its core, Hudson Westbrook’s new five-song EP Exclusive is worth your headphones. It feels like he’s sitting across from you swapping stories over a back-porch beer, full of big hooks, warm Texas vibes, and lines that actually stick. Fans should listen because these songs are instant earworms that also hit emotionally, you’ll find yourself singing along one minute and nodding at a lyric the next. What makes it different is Westbrook’s approach to perspective.  He’s still rooted in Texas tradition, but he’s writing from new angles this time, which gives the EP a fresh, slightly bolder voice than his last project.  

Timmy McKeever –  "I Wish I Could"

Timmy McKeever’s "I Wish I Could" is the kind of heartbreak song that sneaks up on you and won’t let go. It’s about that hollow, helpless feeling when you know you can’t get back what you broke. Fans should listen because Timmy packs those universal, gut-level emotions into a hooky, radio-ready package that feels honest rather than polished. You believe every word. At 19 he’s already writing with a depth and clarity that make him feel older than his years, and teaming with writers like Josh Hoge gives the track real songwriting muscle. 

Kashus Culpepper – Act I 

Kashus Culpepper’s Act I is a debut that immediately feels familiar and refreshingly new. The collection is  warm, raw and full of heart. Recorded at Muscle Shoals’ Ivy Manor, the album blends Americana twang, Southern rock grit and soulful grooves into a sound that’s unmistakably his. Standouts like the aching "Break Me Like" and hometown ode "Alabama Beauty Queen" hit with real emotion, "Cherry Rose" turns everyday frustration into a haunting piano ballad, and "In Her Eyes" rips into psychedelic, Delta-fed guitar fury. Sierra Ferrell’s duet on "Broken Wing Bird" is a breath-catching highlight, their voices intertwining perfectly over a fragile guitar line. Culpepper matters because he refuses the safe route, he stretches country toward soul and rock while keeping it honest and lived-in. If you want music that feels lived-through and true, Act I is a compelling start.

NEEDTOBREATHE  – The Long Surrender

At its core, The Long Surrender is NEEDTOBREATHE finally dropping the guard. This project is raw, live-recorded reckoning where Bear Rinehart’s most confessional songwriting meets the band’s rootsy alt-rock instincts. It’s about faith, redemption and figuring out who you are after things fall apart, and you feel that urgency in every imperfect take and aching vocal. Fans should care because this isn’t a polished comeback or a nostalgia trip,  it’s the band laying everything on the table, trading studio gloss for truth, which makes the emotional moments hit harder. Produced by Dave Cobb and buoyed by standout cuts like "Momma Loves Me," this tenth record isn’t just another entry in their catalog, it’s a massive milestone. 

Parker McCollum  – "Big Ole Fancy House"

Parker McCollum’s "Big Ole Fancy House" finally drops like a heart-to-heart with a close friend. This highly anticipated track is raw, honest, and impossible to ignore. His raspy voice and down-to-earth storytelling strip away the shine of fancy things and remind you what actually matters. It's about realizing that material things mean nothing without someone to share them with. So this isn’t just a tune to tap your foot to, it’s one you’ll feel. Give it a listen and let the lyrics sink in, it might change how you see the people around you, and you’ll probably find yourself sending it to friends before the song’s even over. 

MIKA – Hyperlove 

Ben Gallaher –  "I'll Take You"

Ben Gallaher’s re-release of "I’ll Take You" lands like a shot of pure-country adrenaline. Its equal parts heart, horsepower, and it’s easy to see why it’s headed for U.S. country radio on Feb. 23. Written by hitmakers Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley and Tony Martin, the song’s loved-up lyric could’ve lived comfortably as a ballad, but Ben and producers Neil and Patrick Thrasher smartly flipped it into an anthemic, tempo-driven romp built around a gritty, driving guitar riff that makes the joy feel immediate and communal. It’s catchy, relatable and unpretentious. "I'll Take You" is the kind of country tune that gets stuck in your head.

Donovan Woods – "I Talk About You"

Donovan Woods’ new single "I Talk About You," from the forthcoming EP Squander Your Gifts, lands like a quiet punch to the ribs. It's intimate, unvarnished, and aching with gratitude. Woods strips everything down. The track has lyrics that read like a late-night conversation about a friend who was brilliant, difficult, and gone too soon. His storytelling is both tender and blunt, admiring Abe Stoklasa’s uncanny melodic gifts while wrestling with regret and that emotional honesty turns the song into more than a eulogy. 

Conner Smith – "Man I Was Made To Be"

Conner Smith’s "Man I Was Made To Be" sounds like a private journal entry that somehow turned into a song. He actually recorded it as a late-night voice memo before a show, thinking it’d stay tucked away. That off-the-cuff origin shows that the lyrics are frank and unfiltered, unpacking marriage, faith, and the daily work of becoming a better man without grand gestures. The production stays simple so his voice and story shine, and that raw honesty is what makes the song land. 

Trey Lewis –  "2 INCHES"

Trey Lewis’ "2 INCHES" is a rollicking, grin-inducing romp that feels like a late-night back-porch joke turned into a country banger. Lewis, Dawson Edwards, Alex Maxwell and Caleb Conrady lean into the absurdity of the line "two inches is hell at 90 miles an hour" with infectious swagger and tongue-in-cheek charm. You can hear the laughter in the writing room in every playful lyric and loose, confident delivery; the production gives him room to strut while the clever wordplay keeps you hooked. It’s the kind of carefree, comedic tune that shows Lewis’ growth as a storyteller. 

Chelsea Cutler –  "BAD"

Chelsea Cutler’s "BAD"might be her best yet because it pairs her sharpest songwriting with a fearless new sound. It is honest, catchy, and a little bit dangerous. Fans will relate instantly...it captures that messy, magnetic feeling of post-relationship dating in your late twenties with lines that feel stolen from your own late-night thoughts. Sonically, the addictive guitar riff, warped vocal loops, pulsing bass and shimmering synths give the song a modern, radio-ready edge while keeping Chelsea’s intimate delivery front and center. 

Brandon Wisham – "Good Grief"

Brandon Wisham’s "Good Grief" hits like a gut-punch wrapped in a hug. This track will make you feel every inch of loss he’s singing about. Produced with tasteful restraint by Matt Geroux, the track lets Wisham’s aching, assured tenor carry bittersweet piano, sorrowful guitar, and a gentle sway that mirrors how grief stubbornly moves through you. Lyrically it’s vivid and honest. It’s a small, devastating masterpiece from a 23-year-old already learning how to turn personal heartache into something universally resonant.

Madison Olivia  – "Take My Man"

Madison Olivia’s "Take My Man" hits like a shot of tequila. This track is sharp, unflinching, and impossible to ignore. Borrowing rock grit to shore up modern-country hooks, she turns a messy real-life moment into a swaggering anthem about boundaries and self-worth. The chorus snaps with attitude while the verses keep things grounded and believable. Co-writers Reid Sorel and Abigayle Kompst help shape a tight, punchy arrangement that lets Madison’s confidence breathe – playful where it needs to be, fierce when it counts. This song is a rallying cry for anyone who knows their worth and refuses to apologize for protecting it.

Hadlie Jo – "Mirrors & Smoke"

Hadlie Jo’s "Mirrors & Smoke" is a deliciously nostalgic gut-punch that feels both timeless and fresh. Picture a dimly lit bar, a weeping fiddle, and that sick twist in your chest when an ex walks in arm-in-arm with someone new. Her twangy yet velvety vocals carry Shane Minor and Jimmy Melton’s sturdy writing like a classic country torch song given modern polish. The cinematic production makes the heartbreak feel immediate and honest. Hadlie Jo is a distinctive new voice worth watching.

 Hayden Coffman – "Call It Country"

Hayden Coffman comes out swinging with "Call It Country," a rollicking country-rock jam that feels like rolling down a dirt road with the windows down. Fans should listen because it’s a pure mood-shifter. Its upbeat, honest, and built to make you smile instead of drown in heartbreak. Sonically, it’s punchy guitars, driving drums, and sing-along choruses that stick. At its core the song is simple and real, what folks call "country" is just everyday life for him. If this is the way he’s kicking off the year, Hayden is building momentum. Keep an eye on him... this might be his best, most confident move yet.

Chad Sellers (1978–2023)  – In A Heart Beat

Listening to In A Heart Beat feels like being invited into a late-night conversation with a friend who always said the hard things with a smile. Chad Sellers’ posthumous EP is tender, honest, and quietly fierce. The songs fold small, everyday images into big emotional truths. "Bird On A Wire" gently insists on choosing presence over motion, while "If I Were The Wind,"carrying Sellers’ last recorded vocal alongside his son Gavin, lands like a benediction. "Kids Of Your Own" is a punch to the chest disguised as a wry, loving letter to the future, and throughout the production you can hear a community’s care finishing the sentences he started. It’s an intimate, soulful Americana record that honors a songwriter who refused to settle and makes you grateful we got these final, uncompromising pieces of him.

Ashley Anne  – "happy birthday"

Kicking off the year strong, emerging singer-songwriter Ashley Anne’s new single "happy birthday"stakes out fresh territory in the breakup canon — part cathartic "crash out" for anyone who needs to vent, part bittersweet remembrance of what once was. Anne’s powerhouse vocals and impressive range carry the song’s emotional shifts effortlessly, turning raw anger and quiet grief into something almost tender. Lyrically thoughtful and specific, from lighting candles together to not even wishing them well. The track feels like a journey through loss that’s both personal and oddly universal. Fans will find themselves nodding along, wiping away a tear, and hitting replay.

Alex Hall  – "Let Me Go"

Alex Hall’s "Let Me Go" is the kind of slow-burning country ballad that sneaks up on you. From that hooking guitar riff that sparks the melody to the raw, vulnerable lyricism that feels plucked from a real-life love story. Co-written with Joe Clemmons and Pete Good, the track balances modern Nashville polish with intimate storytelling. Hall’s voice carries the hopeful fear of falling hard for someone and the quiet risk of heartbreak if they don’t meet you halfway. It’s heartfelt without being heavy-handed, and you can hear the chemistry of a writer who’s lived the moment he’s singing about.