5 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Thomas Rhett, Amythyst Kiah, Nate Smith & More

In today’s crop of new releases, Thomas Rhett nods to the impact of Eric Church’s songs, Drew Green teams with HARDY, and Amythyst Kiah pairs up for a new track with Billy Strings.

Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of the best country songs of the week below.

Thomas Rhett, “Church”

Thomas Rhett’s new album, About a Woman, teems with romantic songs about his relationship with wife Lauren. Among them is “Church,” which recounts days of idyllic early romance through the lens of various songs from singer-songwriter Eric Church, including “Sinners Like Me” and “Springsteen,” that are part of their love story. Nostalgia and vivid story songs have always been key elements of TR’s musical catalog, and here he meshes imagery of Church’s signature Ray-Ban sunglasses and red bandana into recollections of the moments that Church’s songs served as the soundtrack to relationship milestones. As always, TR offers a conversational tone to his music, perfect for this autobiographical track.

Amythyst Kiah feat. Billy Strings, “I Will Not Go Down”

Kiah and bluegrass luminary Strings team up for this powerful declaration of self-preservation and fortitude. Kiah turns in a regal, determined rendering, as Strings further elevates this full-throttle track with vocals and fleet-fingered musicianship. “If I’m to be left all alone/ I’ll kill the beast all on my own,” Kiah sings. “I Will Not Go Down” is featured on Kiah’s upcoming album Still + Bright, out Oct. 25 on Rounder Records.

Maggie Antone, “One Too Many”

Virginia native Antone is poised as one of country music’s most fearless new artists, thanks to her unvarnished songwriting, vocal swagger and viral hits such as her recent “Johnny Moonshine.”

Like all the songs on her new album, Rhinestoned, out now on Love Big/Thirty Tigers, this solo write from Antone churns with clever one-liners, unflinching slice-of-life depictions (in this song’s case, the highs and lows of a night out on the town) and is steeped in honky-tonk country, helmed by Antone’s distinct twang. On “One Too Many,” she revels in a night out with some of her friends — Jack Daniel’s, Johnnie Walker and Mary Jane, who “rolled up and she got me stoned.” Though later in the song she wakes up to the hazy consequences of such a night out, she’s honest about the unrelenting allure to try it all again the following weekend.

Nate Smith, “Fix What You Didn’t Break”

Smith has earned two No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hits and seems poised to add to his slate of rock-fused country constructions with his latest. The production here delves into the surging rock of 2000s pop, with slightly distorted vocals and careening guitars, all propelling this soul-salvaging tale as he thanks his lover for looking past his emotional wreckage from previous heart-shattering breakups and aiming to “fix what you didn’t break.” As always, his voice is a gem. “Fix What You Didn’t Break” is from upcoming album, California Gold, is out Oct. 4.

Drew Green feat. HARDY, “Colorado”

If this boot-stomping Green/HARDY collaboration feels familiar, it’s because Florida Georgia Line previously released this tune back in 2019. Written by HARDY, Green and Hunter Phelps, this radio-ready party anthem finds them escaping heartbreak in Appalachia thanks to good buddies, plentiful alcohol and other vices. This churning track is sure to find an audience with weekend revelers and fans of either artist’s music.