This week’s New Music Friday Roundup goes beyond the usual hits, think polished anthems side-by-side with intimate storytelling and a few Valentine’s Day-ready tunes.

 

Morgan Evans kicks things off with "Steel Town," a radio-friendly opener packed with Newcastle detail. At the same time, The Band Perry’s "PSYCHOLOGICAL" brings a dark, cinematic vibe that feels daring and grown-up.

If you’re setting the mood this weekend, don’t miss Dave Lenahan and Karree Phillips’ sweet duet "Wildflowers" or Blake Whiten’s raw, magnetic "Break Me." There’s also Annie Bosko’s spare "Goodbye California," Rodney Atkins’ heartfelt "The Years Are Short," and Faith Schueler’s fierce reclamation "Castle."

 

Rounding things out, Breakfield, Flatland Cavalry, Ava Claire, and Clay Street Unit deliver everything from live-wire rock to classic country textures and sharp storytelling, making this playlist both warm and unexpectedly bold. Keep reading to see if your favorite artist made our roundup.

 

 

 

 

Morgan Evans’ title track, "Steel Town," is a tightly written, autobiographical opener that balances specific hometown details with a measured, radio-ready sound. The song’s strength is its restraint – concrete lines about Burton Rd, VB in the backseat, and counting coal ships ground the story. At the same time, the unexpected vintage commercial interlude gives it texture without distracting from the narrative. Fans should listen because Evans finally blends his Nashville craft with authentic Newcastle roots, there’s a maturity to the songwriting and delivery that feels earned rather than staged. If the rest of Steel Town matches this level of focused storytelling and balanced production, it could be his most convincing record to date.

 

 

 

Kimberly Perry & Johnny Costello reintroduce themselves with authority on "PSYCHOLOGICAL," a darkly cinematic waltz that reframes obsession as anthemic devotion. Anchored by a haunting piano motif, Kimberly’s incisive vocal performance and Dann Huff’s polished country‑rock production elevate vivid lines into dramatic storytelling that feels both theatrical and immediate. Fans should listen because the track marries the melodic sensibilities that defined The Band Perry with a bolder, more mature sonic ambition, signaling a confident new chapter. It showcases clear artistic growth – tighter arrangements, heightened emotional stakes, and a willingness to embrace risk, positioning the duo as a renewed powerhouse poised to redefine their sound without losing what made them distinctive.

 

 

 

Annie’s "Goodbye California" hits like a quiet gut punch. It's a stripped-down, self-produced farewell from a third-generation California farmer’s daughter that skips melodrama and lands on lived‑in detail. Co-written with Pryor Baird and Robert J Ritchie, the song pairs spare production with direct, emotional lyrics and a voice that feels real, not manufactured. If you loved California Cowgirl, this one shows she’s sharpening her craft. Keep an eye on Annie, she’s building momentum, getting sharper with every release, and looks like someone who’s only going to rise from here.

 

 

 

"Wildflowers" is a measured, intimate duet that feels purpose-built for Valentine’s Day. It is a celebration of love that grows through shared moments, patience, and presence rather than spectacle. Sonically, the track leans into Americana and folk-influenced country – understated acoustic arrangements, warm harmonies, and a steady, classic-leaning rhythm that keeps the focus on the vocal interplay. Lyrically, it centers on quiet, everyday devotion, anchored by the memorable chorus and the genuine chemistry between Lenahan and Phillips. Fans should listen because the song offers a welcome contrast to overproduced pop-country. 

 

 

 

Rodney Atkins’ "The Years Are Short" hits home. It’s a raw, hard-to-ignore ode to fatherhood, those endless chaotic days that vanish before you know it. Hear it for the imagery-packed lyrics from Casey Beathard and Monty Criswell, Atkins’ weathered voice that makes every line feel lived-in, and sparse production that lets the emotion hit hard. Fans should listen because it’s honest, universal, and exactly the kind of story-driven country that made him a favorite. Plus, it’s a powerful, emotional taste of True South ahead of the May 29 release.

 

 

Whiten’s "Break Me" is a must-listen because it’s the kind of country song that grabs you with a single line. Its gritty, honest, and built for repeat plays. At its core, it’s about the magnetic mess of an on-again, off-again relationship. You know it’ll hurt, you know you should walk, but the pull back is irresistible, and Whiten nails that push-pull with lived-in details and a signature gravel that makes every regret feel real. Produced by Austin Shawn and co-written with Ben Stennis and Hunter Phelps, the track pairs sharp, conversational writing with restrained tension so the emotion lands harder. If you want an artist who channels gut-level storytelling without posturing, Whiten is one to watch. 

 

 

 

Fans should listen to Breakfield’s new single "Ever-Loving Mind," which captures everything that makes the band addictive live. Its raw urgency, singalong hooks, and a tender core is packed into a track that feels both immediate and timeless. At its heart, the song is an ode to choosing feeling over logic. You can hear their 15 years of hard-won chemistry in the way the instruments lock together, and in Barton Davies’ voice, which sells every ragged edge. Producer Sadler Vaden and Grammy-winner Matt Ross-Spang preserve the imperfect takes and live grit that make the performance believable. That seasoned confidence, tight arrangements, emotional honesty, and a knack for big, memorable choruses is exactly what can push Breakfield from beloved local powerhouse to household name. They’ve learned to bottle their stage electricity into recordings that still hit you in the chest.

 

 

 

Flatland’s new preview "On and On" is an immediate earworm – a warm, shameless love ode that feels both vintage and fresh, the kind of song that sneaks up on you. Cordero’s songwriting, co-penned with Ray Fulcher and Cole Taylor, leans into classic country textures. It’s the perfect tease for Work of Heart (out March 27)  familiar enough to comfort longtime fans but textured enough to promise the full album will be worth the wait.

 

 

 

Faith Schueler’s "Castle" feels like eavesdropping on someone finally finding their voice after a long silence. It is intimate, bold, and honestly cathartic. She, Callista Clark, and Patrick Tarpey weave regal imagery into a gutting tale of love turned to rubble. Faith delivers the lyrics with a mix of vulnerability and steely resolve that makes the moment the truth comes out land hard. The production lets her voice sit front and center, so when the song shifts from grief to reclamation, you actually feel the crown being set back on her head. 

 

 

 

Ava Claire’s new single "Salt Mine" is a compelling listen for fans drawn to honest, narrative-driven songwriting. Its intimate storytelling and evocative melodies reward close attention and repeated listens. Born from a moment of adolescent uncertainty, the song traces a young woman’s shift from passively enduring circumstances to deliberately choosing her path, blending vulnerability with quiet resolve. Ava’s clear, expressive vocals deliver each line with emotional precision, while her economical guitar work and incisive lyrics showcase a maturity beyond her years. Together, her vocal control and sharp songwriting create a distinctive artistic voice that positions her for long-term success in Music City and beyond. 

 

 

 

Listen to Sin & Squalor because Clay Street Unit distills Western grit and Southern soul into songs that hit instantly. This debut is a standout because Chris Pandolfi’s sharp production lets the band’s rootsy punch breathe without ever feeling overpolished. "Left Unsaid" alone proves their power. Sam Walker’s raw, soulful lead and the band’s crisp, aching harmonies turn small, private moments into universal chills. The songwriting pairs plainspoken lines with sneaky melodic hooks, arrangements that build just enough tension, and harmonic turns that lift choruses into goosebump territory. Perfect for fans of honest Americana who want songs that feel both familiar and freshly urgent.