From gut-wrenching ballads to genre-bending EPs and bold identity statements, this week’s New Music Friday drops are proof that country music is alive, evolving, and brimming with artistry. Whether you're looking to cry it out, scream it out, or sit with something that stirs your soul, there’s a track for you in this lineup.

“White Trash” – Colin Stough

With “White Trash,” Colin Stough reclaims a slur with fire and conviction. Co-written by Stough, Jamie Collazo, and Kenny Whitmire, and produced by James LeBlanc and Phillip White, the track stomps forward with defiant Southern grit. It’s a rallying cry for outsiders — for those who’ve been talked down to, counted out, or dismissed based on zip code and background. Backed by searing guitar and Stough’s unmistakable Mississippi rasp, the lyrics don’t beg for acceptance — they demand respect. “If that’s white trash, I’ll own it,” he says. And he does — proudly, loudly, and with a grin that doesn’t flinch.

“Beautiful Breakdown” – Rob Williford

Rob Williford continues his carefully unfolding story arc with “Beautiful Breakdown,” a haunting chronicle of internal collapse that mirrors the descent of his project’s fictional character, Johnny. The single floats through a dusk-colored soundscape, propelled by the dissonance between aching lyrics and an ironically soaring chorus. It’s a track that blurs the lines between personal reflection and character study. The moment Williford sings, “laughing while the world burns down,” you’re deep inside the spiral, where pain becomes cinematic, and unraveling feels poetic.

“Broken By You” – Alyssa Flaherty

On her latest release, Alyssa Flaherty opens a new chapter of heartbreak with “Broken By You,” the first installment in a five-part song series that chronicles the emotional aftermath of a failed relationship. The Annapolis native, now based in Nashville, lets vulnerability take the lead with a track that feels delicate but rooted in hard truth. Flaherty’s vocals are both tender and edged with frustration — a fitting match for lyrics about wasted time and unresolved feelings. Her ability to weave narrative with nuance already earned her a spotlight moment in Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga, and “Broken By You” continues that trajectory with a voice that’s both graceful and unshaken.

“Seein’ Blue” – Lily Rose

Lily Rose returns with “Seein’ Blue,” a quietly devastating meditation on heartbreak that favors clarity over chaos. Where many would shout, Rose whispers. Where others might burn bridges, she stands still and watches the light fade. Written with Joybeth Taylor, Michael Whitworth, and Will Weatherly, “Seein’ Blue” paints a slow unraveling in rich detail — neon lights, denim regrets, and moonlit silence. Rose’s restraint is her strength, and as with “Villain,” she proves again that heartbreak doesn’t always need volume to leave a bruise.

“Worth The Trouble” – Chandler Walters

Chandler Walters steps into the spotlight with “Worth The Trouble,” a guitar-heavy anthem soaked in heartland grit and arena-sized hooks. Best known as the steel guitarist behind Post Malone’s country-leaning sets — and a co-writer of Malone’s 5x Platinum hit “I Had Some Help” — Walters now blends his rock and country instincts into a track that’s tailor-made for open highways and sold-out stages. “Worth The Trouble” pulses with confidence, built on real-world experience and a knack for crafting earworms. It’s a solid first entry from an artist who clearly knows his way around both the spotlight and the studio.

COUNTRY! – HARDY

HARDY returns with his new five-track COUNTRY! EP, an unapologetic celebration of storytelling and grit. The project balances rowdy anthems and quieter reflections, with standout moments like “Favorite Country Song,” a nostalgic homage that’s deeply rooted in genre tradition, and “Girl With a Gun,” which takes a sharp lyrical turn into metaphor and heartbreak. Known for turning everyday moments into emotionally charged lyrics, HARDY once again captures the weight and weirdness of rural life with clarity and flair. He doesn’t just write country — he stretches, sharpens, and sends it back like a warning shot.

“I Don’t Want You” – Hailey Whitters (feat. Charles Wesley Godwin)

Hailey Whitters and Charles Wesley Godwin join forces on “I Don’t Want You,” a slow-burning duet steeped in longing and quiet contradictions. Whitters, known for her delicate delivery and homespun wisdom, finds the perfect counterpart in Godwin’s earthy, Americana-inflected tone. Together, they walk a tightrope of want and denial — voices brushing against one another like memories that refuse to fade. Written by Whitters, Jon Nite, and Gordie Sampson, the song is restrained but cutting, capturing the ache of wanting something you know might never work.

“Alone” – Zac Hart

Zac Hart digs into the emotional mess of a fading situationship on “Alone,” the first preview of a new project set to follow his 2024 EP These Days. Framed by bright banjo plucks and a melancholic groove, the track captures the moment when you stop hoping things will work and start letting go. Hart doesn’t flinch from the small, symbolic gestures — even cutting his long hair in an attempt to reclaim agency. Honest and stripped of pretense, “Alone” is a reminder that some heartbreaks aren’t loud. They’re quiet realizations that sit heavy until you finally speak them out loud.

“Lately” – Jennifer Alvarado

Jennifer Alvarado holds nothing back on “Lately,” the title track from a project that tackles mental health and emotional fragility with brave honesty. Rooted in the traditions of ‘90s country but filtered through the lens of alt-rock and personal battle scars, the song cuts straight to the nerve. “The pills aren’t working / And I feel kinda hollow,” she sings, offering no easy resolution — just the truth, laid bare. Alvarado’s journey from worship leader to relentless touring artist has given her voice a quiet authority, and with songs like this, she’s starting conversations many try to avoid.

“Calling It Now” – HAYS

HAYS returns with “Calling It Now,” a cathartic post-breakup anthem bridging the tightrope between vulnerability and impulse. Produced by Lukas Scott and co-written with Rob Pennington and Jake Rose, the single picks at the wound of unresolved feelings, capturing the swirl of alcohol-fueled doubt and late-night courage. HAYS doesn’t pretend to have answers. What he offers instead is a painfully familiar moment — when the silence is unbearable, the memories too loud, and a single phone call feels like the only way to know if something’s really over.

“I Went To The Bar” – Kelsey Hart

Kelsey Hart’s new release is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, a breakup anthem that cuts straight to the heart. With every note, Hart channels raw, unfiltered pain, transforming it into a cathartic release that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. His commanding vocals, paired with a driving, unforgettable rhythm, make this track an instant classic—one that will stay with you long after the last shot. Written by Hart, Blake Bollinger, and Erik Anderson, and produced by Bollinger, "I Went to the Bar" is a bold declaration of artistic depth and vulnerability. This isn’t just a song; it’s a profound, unapologetic reflection of moving through grief and finding solace in the most unexpected places. Hart proves once again why he’s one of country music’s most compelling and enduring voices.