New Music Friday is serving heat this week! 

Jenny Tolman brings sass and stomp with "Show Pony," Jenane delivers an electrifying pop-R&B knockout in "Ultraviolet," and Peech.’s Small Town America (Vol. 2) proves he’s graduating from viral artist to authentic songwriter. This week we spotlight a fresh crop of artists carving out space across genres. They’re bringing bold production, unforgettable hooks, and stories that demand attention.

Learn their names now and give your playlists an upgrade.

Thelma & James – "Alternate Ending"

If Thelma & James aren’t in your rotation yet, "Alternate Ending" demands a spot. The track seizes you from the first bar and their chilling harmonies turn a private confession into an unforgettable rush. This song is raw, relatable, and impossible to ignore. Born from late-night studio talk, the song feels both intimate and cinematic, a bolder, more mature step from "If You Ain't In Love By Now." Whether in a quiet room or on a stadium stage alongside Luke Combs, it proves this duo’s vocal chemistry and storytelling hit hard. If you want to back the next big duo in the scene, this is the moment to get invested.

Ashley Anne – "Paloma" 

Ashley Anne’s "Paloma" is a sleek, radio-ready country-pop single that turns a small, vivid moment – a girls’ night and the first bitter sip of a Paloma into a striking metaphor for growing up, confidence, and self-possession. With airy, assured vocals and clean, modern production, the song blends imagery-rich, witty lyrics with a memorable singalong hook that feels both immediate and lasting. By turning intimate detail into universal feeling, Ashley proves herself a distinctive storyteller in today’s country scene. Early praise from peers like Laci Kaye Booth, Carly Pearce, and Avery Anna makes "Paloma" a compelling lead single that sets the stage for the upcoming EP Generational Heartbreak, out May 1.

Jenane – "Ultraviolet"

Jenane’s "Ultraviolet" is an immediate ear-catcher that proves she’s more than a promising name –she’s a force. The song opens with restless lines then pivots into a sudden, irresistible heat. That emotional flip is the track’s spark, and Jenane sells it with total conviction. The chorus is cinematic and unforgettable. While vocally, Jenane stands out. Her delivery is powerful and expressive. These are the kind of vocals that demand headphones and repeat listens. Production-wise, the track is smart and modern. Heavy synths and pounding beats push the energy forward while a smooth R&B groove keeps the soul intact. The pop polish is present but never flat, there’s grit and texture that give the song personality and momentum. Why fans should care? "Ultraviolet" hooks fast and grows deeper on replay. It’s radio-ready but emotionally honest, showcasing Jenane’s vocal power, artistic taste, and stage-ready presence. If this single is any sign, she’s on track to be a genuine star – bold, magnetic, and impossible to ignore.

Josh Ross –  "Give ‘Er Hell"

Josh Ross cuts straight to the bone with "Give ‘Er Hell," a gritty, no‑holds‑barred anthem that balances raw emotion and radio-ready polish. Co‑penned with Mason Thornley and produced by longtime collaborator Matt Geroux, the track leans into Ross’s warm vocal rasp and modern country darkness. Lyrically, the song lands hard. Ross channels moments when life’s not going your way into a message about digging deep, trusting yourself, and going all in. Why fans should listen and add it to their playlists? The production and performance both hit the sweet spot between contemporary country radio and alt‑country grit. It’s the kind of single that works across settings – driving playlists, late‑night bar sets, or a motivational push when you need it most. Ross’s rasp and the razor‑sharp lyricism make it memorable on first listen and rewarding on repeat. "Give ‘Er Hell" is a strong statement of intent from an artist on the rise. It showcases Josh Ross’s star potential – authentic, charismatic, and built for the country scene making it an easy add for anyone curating modern country playlists.

Jenny Tolman –  "Show Pony"

Jenny Tolman’s "Show Pony" is  bold, honest, and immediately memorable. Co-written with Dave Brainard and Matt Willis, the song finds Tolman calling out an ex who’s flaunting a new fling, all while trying to convince herself she’s unbothered. What makes Tolman stand out is how empowering she is while wearing her heart on her sleeve. She doesn’t hide the messiness of feelings; she sings them loud. That mix of vulnerability and fire is exactly why "Show Pony" lands. It’s relatable for anyone navigating ego and insecurity, and it’s written with the kind of sharp storytelling Tolman’s known for. Musically, it’s built for a live crowd – boot-stomping rhythms, catchy hooks, and a chorus you’ll want to sing along to. Beyond the single, She’s pushing boundaries and building community. If you like country that’s smart, sassy, and sincere, give this one a listen.

Indigo Syndicate  – "Frantic" 

Indigo Syndicate’s "Frantic" is the pulsing core of Briley Parkway – a compact, high-wire pop track that turns obsession into a tangible sensation. The lyrics loop like rumination, not by telling us how to feel but by reenacting the circular thought pattern itself. Samantha Sanford sells that loop perfectly and the result reads as both confession and compulsion. Production is precise and restrained, allowing emotional detail to sit at the forefront. Placed after the disorientation of "DND," "Frantic" pins the listener in the intoxicating early phase of a bad attachment – the exhilarating panic before things unravel. Over the EP’s brief runtime, the song crystallizes the project’s central idea: attraction can quickly harden into fixation, and the impulses that thrill us can also trap us. For a trio that blends alt, pop, and R&B, "Frantic" showcases their strengths. 

Peech. – Small Town America (Vol. 2)

Peech’s Small Town America (Vol. 2) expands on the intimate, road‑worn storytelling that first put him on listeners’ radars. After Vol. 1’s 2.2 million streams and viral TikTok traction, this follow‑up proves he’s not stopping anytime soon. The record leans into regret, grief, and the stubborn gravity of a town that remembers every version of you. Opening with "Middlemen," Peech hooks you with a conversational lyricism that never feels staged. "As I Get Older" and "Got It All Wrong" are frank admissions. "Deep End" and "Tomorrows" sit quieter and more reflective, while "Shine On" and "Going West" offer the faint but steady resilience that keeps the album from tipping into despair. Even the "Tell Me - Remix" refreshes a familiar confession with new texture without losing intimacy.

What makes Vol. 2 especially resonant is how Peech refuses to run from pain. These songs honor loss and mistakes without letting sorrow harden into cynicism – there’s humility, honesty, and a stubborn thread of hope throughout. Peech is emerging as a force in the country scene. His devoted fanbase is singing back these lines, relating to the small-town specifics, and universal regrets. That grassroots connection is amplifying his star power to new heights. Small Town America (Vol. 2) is proof he’s here to stay. 

Kopper and Kash – "In The Beginning"

Kopper and Kash’s "In The Beginning" is a warm, soul-tinged worship song. It builds with soft instruments and harmonies that give you goosebumps. The lyrics mix big, familiar phrases with everyday details about faith, family, and healing, so the song sounds like a personal testimony rather than a sermon. Their voices are honest and vulnerable, and the sparse production lets those moments land – making the track both singable and deeply reflective. Dropped around Easter, its themes of origin, light, and renewal feel especially fitting, but anyone facing doubt, loss, or the slow work of healing will find comfort here. 

Marcus Hummon ft. Levi Hummon – "Bless The Broken Road"

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Marcus and Levi Hummon’s stripped-down take on "Bless the Broken Road" is quietly powerful. With just piano and vocal harmonies, the father-son duo turns a well-known anthem into an intimate conversation, letting the lyrics breathe. Marcus brings the song’s history and emotional weight, while Levi adds a fresh, earnest presence. Production is simple and warm, keeping the focus on the performance rather than effects. The result feels like listening in on a living-room duet, it's familiar, tender, and true. This version honors the original while making it unmistakably theirs – a gentle passing of the torch and a moving reminder that simplicity often carries the deepest meaning.

Landon Smith – "Lavender"

Landon Smith’s "Lavender" cuts straight to the heart. His first release after 2025’s Reckon So, co-written with Jacob and Josh Fuls and Kingston Lord and produced by Grammy-winner Dave Cobb, turns heartbreak into sharp, memorable detail. Smith’s weathered, controlled vocals give the chorus real punch, while Cobb’s warm, textured production keeps the arrangement intimate. It’s powerful because it translates the lingering imprint of a past relationship into small, vivid moments that keep revealing themselves on repeat. "Lavender" is simple, direct, and hard to forget.

49 Winchester  – "Slowly" 

49 Winchester’s "Slowly" is a polished, emotionally rich slow-burn that pairs Isaac Gibson’s worn, soulful lead with tight, lived-in instrumentation. Co-written with Jessie Jo Dillon and Chris Tompkins, the lyrics favor precise, everyday images over theatrical metaphors, building a portrait of personal change. Production is spacious and tasteful, letting Gibson’s voice carry the emotional weight while tasteful harmonies and guitar textures add depth without crowding the song. Why listen? It’s a mature, craft-forward song that rewards attention. Fans of alt-country and Americana will appreciate the songwriting craft and the band’s blend of Southern-rock grit and country soul. As a preview of Change of Plans, "Slowly" signals an album rooted in reflection and emotional clarity.  

Photo Credit: Nick Swift