co-written by Church, the politically charged track “The Snake” kicks off the set, whose 11 tracks are peppered with rollicking numbers like the ear-grabbing title track and bluesy “Solid,” as well as more heartfelt
reflections on life like the sensitive “Heart Like a Wtion the Grammy-nominated single, “Some of It.” All the while, Church proves willing to challenge the status quo his staying power as an artist heel” — not to men-
by bucking radio trends and simply releasing music that is specific to him. A standout LP, in meaning with each listen and is a strong contender.Desperate Man grows
Stronger Than the TruthREBA McENTIREMroots on the standout the Truthstudio album includes memorable cEntire returned to her country. The country legend’s 29th Stronger Than
story-songs like the stirring piano ballad “Tammy WPain,” which details a woman strug-gling with a relationship that ended with infidelity, and “Cactus in a Cof-fee Can,” a poignant tune about an ynette Kind of
orphan who meets her drug-addicted birth mother later in life. Mtire also penned two tracks on the traditional-country set: the driving, jazz-infused “No U in Oklahoma” with Brooks & Dunn’s Ronnie Dunn cEn-
and longtime friend Donna Mden, and the heart-wrenching ballad of long lost love “In His MMmeaningful stories only she can tell.cEntire’s vocals shine as she sings ind.” cSpad-
Interstate GospelPISTOL ANNIESThe Pistol Annies returned in 2018 with third album and first collaborative effort in five years. The band — Interstate Gospel, the trio’s
Angaleena Presley, Ashley Monroeand Mon the heaviness of the quiet life: divorce, heartbreak and marriage. On “Best Years of MAnnies question getting married too soon, while the feel-good “Got Miranda Lambert — meditates y Life,” the y
Name Changed Back” gives divorce an uplifting perspective. Additional highlights include the sultry coun-try-grunge anthem “Sugar Daddy,” complete with glimmering eclectic guitar parts, and “Leavers Lullaby,”
a vulnerable song that details a relationship’s eventual end. Wstrong female perspective and sto-ryline throughout every song, Pistol Annies’the desperate need for more female Interstate Gospel exemplifies ith a
voices in country radio.Center Point RoadTHOMAS RHETTRhett pushes his distinct brand of country music forward on his fourth
his own lane with boldness. Led by He r,” the single “Look Welements of pop, country, urban and jazz, Rhett impresses as he navigates studio album, Center Point RoadCenter Point Roadhat God Gave tells the. With
story of Rhett’s life. From the nostal-gic “Remember You Young” to the anthemic title track featuring Kelsea Ballerini, Rhett solidifies himself as an entertainer who satisfies with triumphant arena-anthems while alsopulling on the heartstrings, as can be heard on the heartfelt “That Old Truck,” and reflective “Dream You Never Had.” The album also became the singer’s second consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
While I’m Livin’TANYA TUCKERTucker’s triumphant return for the singer. Her first album of new music in 17 years, the Grammy nod is one of four While I’m Livin’ marks anominations for the country legend at the upcoming ceremony. Co-pro-duced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, the project features deeply personal story-songs about Tucker’s life. The stunning “Wheels of Laredo”
kicked off Tucker’s reemergence, while standout three-time Grammy-nominated single, “Bring Mers Now,” details the importance of living in the moment. Mpoignant cover of Miranda Lambert’s eanwhile, her y Flow-
“The House That Built Mchord as Tucker sings from the par-ent perspective. Surprisingly, Tucker almost didn’t record the project. “It was all up in the air,” she previously told Billboard. “Shooter talked me into e” strikes a
it, and I’m glad he did.”Country
Dan + Shay at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville on Oct. 16. Eric Church at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 7.
GRAMMYAWARDS
AYN^ +^ SHAY:^ TERRD^ WYATT/GETTY^ IMGAES.^ CHURCH:^ JASON^ KEMPIN/GETT:IMAGES.^ TUCKERY^ KEVIN^ MAZUR/GEWTANYA TUCKER damthe Grammys will make this year?hat’s the biggest change you hope n time wom“It’s about en have a S.TY IMAGET
clean sweep. There are so mthere right now wreal deal. Wany talented feme need to see ho are the ales out
and hear fromthe televised show, too.” them during
112 BILLBOARD • DECEMBER 7, 2019