New Music Friday: February 21, 2025
Candi Jenkins, Golden Shoals, Justin Wells, John R. Miller feat. Abby Hamilton, and more
Welcome back to Wick’s Picks! Below you’ll find my new music picks for the week, which are compiled into a larger, year-long Spotify playlist with all the other songs I’ve highlighted in 2025 at the end of this post.
As always, thank you for your support, and enjoy!
Annie Bosko - “Help Me Make It Through The Night”
Rising country star Annie Bosko delivers a heartfelt performance on the Kris Kristofferson classic.
Golden Shoals - “Everybody’s A Somebody”
Old-time duo Golden Shoals show off their electric side for the first time ever on “Everybody’s A Somebody,” a lighthearted ditty about life as a musician in Nashville and never knowing who you’re going to run into when you walk out the front door. The song is the debut single from their forthcoming album The Dream and The Hunger.
Candi Jenkins - “Cheap Entertainment”
Lexington trio Candi Jenkins hit the ground running with their debut single, “Cheap Entertainment,” a banger about having fun on a budget. If the song’s any indication though, Candi Jenkins won’t be cheap entertainment for much longer.
Noeline Hofmann - “The Bullfighter”
Even though I mentioned Jack Browning’s cover of this same song on the newsletter a few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but include Canadian cowgirl Noeline Hofmann’s version of the Luke Bell classic “The Bullfighter” here as well. Noeline has such a powerful voice, and you can really hear the weight of emotion in it as she sings and honors one of her musical heroes here.
Leon Majcen - “Highway One”
Rising singer Leon Majcen questions his decision-making and if his best is enough on the vulnerable new single “Highway One,” a folksy ballad that (for some reason) gives me major early Lumineers vibes.
Kyle McKearney - “Love”
From a natural disaster bringing people together to a silver screen romance or finding the motivation to get clean and sober, love conquers all, which is exactly what Alberta singer Kyle McKearney sings about on his latest single.
John R. Miller - “Ditcher” (feat. Abby Hamilton)
Despite including John R. Miller’s “Outset Of The Breeze” here a few weeks ago, I couldn’t NOT include this stripped down duet of “Ditcher” feat. Lexington’s Abby Hamilton when it dropped this morning on the West Virginian’s six song Fireside Sessions Vol. 2 EP.
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band - “Looking For A Manger” (feat. The McCrary Sisters)
With an intro that mimics the chain dragging pivotal to Cincinnati group Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle’s sound, Indiana’s Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band conjure up gritty, gospel-esque feel on “Looking For A Manger,” a collaboration with the indelible McCrary Sisters that’s featured on their new album Honeysuckle, out today.
Sweet Megg - “This Train”
Sweet Megg uses locomotives as a metaphor for leaving a love that doesn’t feel true in search of something that serves and fulfills you on “This Train,” the latest single from her album Never Been Home coming May 16.
Treaty Oak Revival - “Bad State Of Mind”
The sounds of Cross Canadian Ragweed and early 2000’s alt-rock intersect on “Bad State Of Mind,” the latest single from Texas group Treaty Oak Revival that centers around getting over a breakup and the unsavory feelings that can come with it.
Todd Day Wait - “That’s Not My Pal”
Nashville mainstay Todd Day Wait turns the nostalgic honky tonk up to 11 on his latest single “That’s Not My Pal,” which is expected to be included on his next album due out in March.
Jesse Welles - “Wheel”
Viral folk singer Jesse Welles released his album “Middle” today. Mixed in with songs of despair like “Fear Is The Mind Killer” and “War Is A God” is “Wheel,” a song that doesn’t shy away from the plights facing our world, but rather approaches it from a perspective of growth where he’ll “keep learnin’, keep spinnin’ on.”
Justin Wells - “Up There With The Angels”
Justin Wells sings of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde tale of two lovers who feel like the whole world is against them on “Up There With The Angels,” the last single from his album Cynthiana, out now.
Hailey Whitters - “Prodigal Daughter” (feat. Molly Tuttle)
Hailey Whitters documents her journey from a doe-eyed girl to a “Prodigal Daughter” on her new bluegrass heavy single that features multi-GRAMMY award winner Molly Tuttle on guitar and harmonies.
Jaime Wyatt - “I’d Rather Be Lonely”
Jaime Wyatt sings of choosing solitude over a relationship that no longer serves you on “I’d Rather Be Lonely,” the blues and jazz-tinged tune just released as a bonus track from her 2023 album Feel Good.
LISTEN ON APPLE MUSIC HERE
Sounds Like The Radio
Next Wednesday, Feb. 26, on my radio show I’ll be joined by Jeffersonville, In. based singer Nick Dittmeier. Join us then at 7 p.m. live on Hound FM, The Hound mobile app or HoundFM.com
