New Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist (#186)

It’s no longer good enough just to be “country.” In fact, many of the ’90s country knockoff singles are getting rejected for this playlist these days. Country is in a more country era for sure. But the quality of songs is also in a resurgence. You see this in the latest update to this playlist.

The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right here, right now in country and roots music. It’s available on most all streaming formats (see below), or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations to find something new to listen to.

Newest Additions:

Jonathan Terrell – “Peeling Labels” – Austin-based honky tonk disruptionist Jonathan Terrell goes into his vault and pulls out this gem of a country heartbreak song that many country artists couldn’t compose as a featured single. It’s the first offering of what Terrell says is multiple volumes of unreleased material coming soon.

Pug Johnson – “Second Chances” – Texas songwriter Pug Johnson has a new album called From A Beaumont Bar on the way Oct. 23rd that promises to explore the different shades of heartbreak. “Second Chances” lives up to that promise with a stellar hook, a timeless story, and a honky tonk sound.

Tyla Rodrigues, The Kruse Brothers – “What’s Left To Hold Onto” – Two of the coolest up-and-coming names in true country music combine forces to sing about holding onto the last dying gasps of hope in a relationship with harmonies that pull you right in.

Morgan Wade, John Paul White – “Old History” – John Paul White made his name harmonizing in The Civil Wars. He’s perhaps found his next best singing partner in Morgan Wade, paired up on a song they wrote together during the pandemic. This is one of those collaborations that just feels natural, and becomes something greater than the sum of its parts.

Shota Adamashvili – “Cowboy in Berlin” – Saving Country Music previously profiled Shota as the Republic of Georgia’s only country singer. Taken from first-hand experience, his new single chronicles the unlikely perspective of a cowboy in the capital of Germany. There’s no twang lost in the translation though. This is an excellent honky tonk heater co-produced by another European country performer, Larry Peninsula.

Lucas Hudgins – “Perfect Time for Leavin’” – It’s been a long journey back for Lucas Hudgins who released a couple of killer throwback country records in the late oughts, but then disappeared for years due to health reasons. Now he’s back working on a record produced by Billy Horton and Dave Biller, and executive produced by Charley Crockett who Hudgins has been opening for. “Perfect Time for Leavin'” is a perfect introduction to his ’70s-inspired sound (Only available on Spotify).

Ian Noe – “She Familiar (In the Strangest Ways)” and “Antarctica”– Many folks are talking up Ian Noe’s new album Canyon Falls Trailer Band as the best in 2026. There’s still a few more months to determine that for certain. But “She’s Familiar” shows off the great country side of the double record, while “Antarctica” explores the emotional turmoil and metaphorical songwriting side of this Kentucky-based songwriter.

Joe Stamm – “Sing Along” – By weaving in such beautiful imagery about a child stacking blocks and an old dog dreaming of chasing a racoon, Stamm puts you right in the room where the song was written, and the scene where it was inspired. Joe has such keen vision for songs, finding them in places many other songwriters would miss. “Sing Along” is from his new EP More Than Just Bones.

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The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist primarily lives on Spotify, but is also available for those who use Amazon Music, YouTube, and Apple Music. For those who don’t stream music, you can still find the song recommendations in list form below.

CLICK HERE to follow Saving Country Music on Spotify, and/or follow the Spotify Top 25 Playlist.

Please Note: The songs on this playlist are curated for listening pleasure and flow. Otherwise, they are not in any specific order.

Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist:

• “Second Chances” – Pug Johnson – A Beaumont Bar (10-23)
• “Run Me Ragged” – Alicia Blue – Country Desire
• “She’s Familiar (In the Strangest Ways)” – Ian Noe – Canyon Falls Trailer Band
• “What’s Left To Hold Onto” – Tyla Rodrigues, The Kruse Brothers – (single)
• “Cowboy in Berlin” – Shota Adamashvili – (single)
• “Perfect Time for Leavin'” – Lucas Hudgins – (single)
• “Peeling Labels” – Jonathan Terrell – (single)
• “Watch The Money” – The Ransom Brothers – Cryin’ Shame
• “All Outta You” – Wyatt McCubbin – 650 (10-16)
• “American Shoestring” – Darby Sparkman – (single)
• “Tiger’s Blood” – Brandon Flowers – Thrasher
• “Wilson Silverstar 402 Blues” – Noeline Hofmann – (single)
• “Taking to a Dreamer” – Robert Henry & the Repeaters – Down The Road
• “It Takes a Man to Say Goodbye” – Tony Hannah – Love It Or Leave It
• “Sing Along” – Joe Stamm – More Than Just Bones
• “Universal Thump” – Pony Bradshaw – Ode to Humidity
• “Another Day In A Nightmare” – Jason James – Cut The Chain
• “Old History” – Morgan Wade, John Paul White – (single)
• “The Hunt” – The Wilder Blue – Cinco
• “There’s The Door” – Grey DeLisle – Don’t Turn Around (10-23)
• “Gas Is Cheap” – Lena Rich – Emerald City
• “Blink of an Eye” – Bronwyn – Rattlin’ Bones
• “The Diamond Saloon” – Chasen Wayne – The Diamond Saloon
• “Azaleas” – Mason Lively, Presley Haile – The Hill Country Sound
• “Texas Angel” – Denitia – Texas Angel (2-5-27)
• “Antartica” – Ian Noe – Canyon Falls Trailer Band

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