Album Review – Drake Milligan’s Self-Titled EP
Yet another sign that actual country music from actual country artists is on the march in an advantageous manner these days is all of the albums, EPs, and artists emanating from major labels lately who actually fit the bill, and you can add this new 5-song title from Broken Bow recording artist and Fort Worth-native Drake Milligan at or near the top of the heep.
Drake Milligan isn’t exactly a new kid on the block, though you may need a quick refresher to remember his name. The heartthrob starred as none other than a young Elvis Presley in the highly-regarded television series Sun Records that aired on CMT in 2017 written by Hank Williams biographer Collin Escott. It was about the best thing CMT has done in years, though it only lasted one season, and Drake Milligan was a big part of its critical acclaim and appeal.
But believe it or not, that might not be the most interesting note about Drake Milligan’s career arc. In 2018 after Sun Records ended, Milligan tried out for American Idol singing a George Strait song, ultimately impressing the judges and earning a golden ticket to Hollywood. But instead of soldiering on through the competition as an early bet to do well or win the competition, Drake bowed out unexpectedly, not wanting to besmirch the artistry and sincerity he hopes his career is known for with an Idol appearance.
This brings us back to this five-song EP with songs all co-written by Milligan. As you may know, EPs are rarely talked about around these parts unless something went totally right or completely wrong. In this case, it’s the former. There’s no reinventing of the wheel here, it’s just great 80’s inspired well-written classic country music done right that’s super easy to warm up to.
With a great voice, this 23-year-old injects new vigor and a youthful point of view into timeless country themes while avoiding list-y or whiskey cliches for the most part, backed by flawless and twangy music. The dude’s got the disposition of George Strait, with the smoothness and cool factor of Chris Isaak. And let’s just say it: The fact that Drake Milligan is so young and hunky with an established name already, and has decided to spend his time singing traditional country music is what helps make this project so interesting and important.
Of course the problem with this EP is that it’s just an EP. With only five song, it’s difficult to come to any strong conclusions, while a full-length album would have likely garnered more attention. But if you are going to release an EP, at the beginning of your career when you’re trying to create attention for yourself is a good time to do it, and leave the audience intrigued and wanting more. Drake Milligan definitely accomplishes this here.
So there’s still some stuff left to be determined when it comes to Drake Milligan. But from what we’ve seen and heard so far, we’ve got yet another big prospect who will hopefully be entertaining us and helping to save country music in the coming years, with the backing of a big label that at least at the moment is allowing this young man to be himself.
Great little EP.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8/10)
July 23, 2021 @ 8:00 am
This is good stuff. Never would’ve heard it without this post so thanks for bringing it to the light. Ramin s me of Josh Turner and a bit like Randall king as well. Super fun listen!
July 23, 2021 @ 8:34 am
I know we’ve talked about the “EP” many times in the past and as much as most of us old schoolers really want and appreciate a full album of 8-10 songs = 40 minutes or so I’ve really come to accept and enjoy the EP. Like I said before sometimes I’ve only got 15-20 minutes to listen to some music. I’d never heard of this guy but I like it a lot and I for one am glad you’re occasionally reviewing EP’s.
July 23, 2021 @ 9:54 am
Dam* Trig …
You’re pulling our tail, right?
This is the seasoned mature voice of a 40 + year old man. Not some 23 year old.
Maybe they just put this guys picture on the cover, and it is someone else singing.
Much more rock/country rock oriented than crooner, but would slow down enough to listen to this kid sing a couple songs.
And, Once Again – had it not been for the brains behind SCM,
July 23, 2021 @ 10:16 am
Speaking of EPs, Erik Shicotte’s debut EP Miss’ry Pacific is damn good. One of my favorite releases so far this year
July 23, 2021 @ 10:10 am
Just shows to go you- can’t judge a book by lookin at the cover- he doesn’t sound like he looks- if he’d wear a hat, wranglers and ropers he could pass for George Strait 🙂 kids got a future if empty suits don’t stand in his way.
July 23, 2021 @ 11:23 am
Hard for me to get too excited about love songs. It has always seemed as low hanging fruit and albums full of them never seem to stand the rest of time unless the artist uses very creative angles.
July 23, 2021 @ 11:45 am
Love songs dont age well?
Hmnn…the following artists might disagree:
Cash, Jennings, Coe, Paycheck, Nelson, Strait, Don Williams, Hank Jr, Bellamy Brothers, Tim Mcgraw, Charley Pride, Ernest Tubb, Randy Travis, Billy Joe Shaver, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Trisha Yearwood, Alabama and on and on and on and on…..
July 23, 2021 @ 12:21 pm
I made sure not to say love songs in general. I said albums full of them and these days it is too often bubblegum. I also said creative angles and the two songs on this article were far from the poetry that Billy Joe continuously wrote!
July 23, 2021 @ 1:21 pm
For me, it’s way easier to write darker story songs, or really any kind of song than love songs. Maybe because I am an asshole and don’t listen to them. Either way, this fellow has a great voice and hopefully has a great career!
July 23, 2021 @ 1:33 pm
Hahahaha. Great point!
July 23, 2021 @ 1:43 pm
Ok, my last comment had nothing about Drake. I think hes got the voice and the looks to be a star. Plus the fame already from the show. Seeing that his label is part of a bigger conglomerate with established bro -country acts, im surprised they put out something this traditional. But, make no mistake its VERY good! I can only hope hes not herded into metro lite bro or boyfriend country in the future. As-is the guy could do well on The Opry with this sound. He could be the next Josh Turner.
June 13, 2022 @ 6:29 pm
Love, Love, Love this guy I thought I heard him on the radio. Dam cute too ????????????
July 23, 2021 @ 11:29 am
Wow a Drake that is actually worth a listen. This will definitely go into my collection along with Randall King, and Triston Marez
July 25, 2021 @ 3:45 pm
Just FYI , Drake co wrote Randall King new title cut Record High!
July 23, 2021 @ 1:07 pm
This is good. Wish people would quit releasing EP’s though.
Also, general consensus, you guys more excited for the new Mike and the Moonpies album or the new Sturgill album? I can’t make up my mind. Moonpies have been on fire, but also this Sturgill album sounds like it could be his best since Metamodern.
July 23, 2021 @ 1:42 pm
Moonpies easily. I like my country music free of self righteousness and egomania.
July 23, 2021 @ 1:54 pm
Sturgill for sure, although I think the new mike and the moonpies album will be excellent. I think hour on the hour is one of the best songs they’ve done yet. Either way, August is lookin good.
July 23, 2021 @ 2:10 pm
Not going to be a popular opinion, but this guys voice is better than George Strait’s.
This is a comes along once in a great while voice.
It is a Waylon Jennings league, voice.
July 23, 2021 @ 5:21 pm
Seriously? To quote dementia Joe…” come on man “
July 23, 2021 @ 6:04 pm
Don’t get me wrong. Think George Strait is one of the greats.
Have tremendous respect for him as a singer, musician and especially as a family man.
However, this kid Milligan fires on every single cylinder, at TWENTY THREE.
Monstrous talent.
Would put he and Rhiannon G. together
as a couple of old souls excelling in their craft
July 23, 2021 @ 4:02 pm
Trigger, are you from Mars? you keep unleashing great music on us, its hard to stay current!
Thanks for all you do, and your reviews are always spot on. I think you have already saved country music, not single handed, but you’re the grease between the gears!
July 23, 2021 @ 6:34 pm
Yep, sounding good. Really nice to see the long history of Lefty Frizzell style singing continue to come alive in these young men.
July 23, 2021 @ 8:18 pm
I LOVE IT…
July 23, 2021 @ 8:54 pm
This EP is actually bumming me out a bit, because a guy who sounds like this oughta mushroom cloud the charts, but Nashville is likely to crate him in a warehouse somewhere.
He really is like a cross between George Strait and Josh Turner. While it all sounds great, I think his tone is a bit better when he’s more in Strait end of the pool. But shoot, at 23, he should ignore what I just said and keep going for it.
For the sake of the masses, I hope radio gives him a shot. As for me, this EP belongs on my microSD, and looking forward to hearing more.
July 27, 2021 @ 9:22 am
This was my reaction as well, that it sounded like Josh Turner doing a George Strait impression.
Nashville and radio love the “familiar”, so he should get a shot. A few of the songs come off a little too plastic for my liking, but it’s hard to argue against that voice.
July 23, 2021 @ 9:18 pm
Don’t Look Down is a very well-written song. I’m impressed.
July 24, 2021 @ 7:50 am
I can’t stop listening to this ep, every track is great and his song wring skills and voice give the impression of a man at least twice his years, hard to believe he is only 23. it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he is a household name in the next year or two.
July 24, 2021 @ 8:10 am
That’s ggggoooooddd music!
July 24, 2021 @ 2:03 pm
If this kid does as well as he should even at 23 he has put in the work. He has been performing since he was 8 and his brief audition on Idol was 4 years ago.
He is so likable in person and I know his parents are so proud… can’t wait to watch his trajectory… oh and did I mention he is definitely easy on the eyes!
July 26, 2021 @ 10:13 am
This EP is Fabolous and yes he is only 23 and know this kid. He’s had a great voice since 14 yrs old, and my opinion if he keeps this up he’ll be the next young George Straight doing he’s own thing….. You think he’s voice is good you should see he live because he’s got the stage charisma of the young Elvis Presley. That why he got the part to play him within CMT’s Sun Records with NO ACTING experience. This kid is an old soul and has always been way above he’s years. Mark my words this kids going to go places if nashville just promotes him!! Where’s the Colonel these days??!!
August 6, 2021 @ 6:45 am
My sister, and I saw him perform as Dwight Yoakam’s opening act last Friday night. By the middle of the first song, the audience was spellbound. Even though we had seen him in Sun Records, we didn’t know he was the same guy. I’m telling you he has that MAGIC!! If he isn’t a super star, I’ll never ever understand Nashville. I haven’t seen a performance like that since Elvis. When have you ever seen an opening act get a standing ovation???
September 9, 2021 @ 9:46 pm
So a week and a half maybe 2 weeks ago I found out Drake was opening for Runaway June here at my home bar Joe’s Live which I might add won an ACM for “outstanding country music club” of the year for 2020. I was happy he was because thanks to Trig his EP is heavily in my rotation and I was going to the show even before I knew. What more can you/we here ask of somebody from a debut EP than 5 self written great actual Country songs? I’m still not sure how many of the 50-80 people (80% women) there other than myself had even heard the EP or knew of his background or who he was? I didn’t take a survey but I watched the jaws drop as he went through the entire EP, a few covers and an incredible acoustic version of “She”. Full band, pedal steel, and fiddle absolute pros. I chatted with him afterwards and told him we here on SCM appreciate it. He’s part of the solution and not part of the problem. A little “Elvisy”? yeah maybe, but I’m sure he’ll roll out of it. A+ performance from a future star.
January 22, 2022 @ 12:00 am
So once again I’m even more lucky enough to have Drake and his band roll into town for not one but 2 nights here at the best Country dive bar in the windy city, Carol’s. An easy 6 hr cruise for anyone Nashville based like Drake by the way. The names of those who’ve graced this stage read like a who’s who of this website like Cody, Ward, Steel Woods, Sunny, and many many others. Drake and the guys chatted amicably with the crowd before and after they took the stage and absolutely tore it up playing the entire EP, a few covers, and some new originals to an enthusiastic intimate crowd. A great show that I thanked them all for coming and playing for us under the current conditions. It’s called paying your dues and we appreciate it you guys.
June 8, 2022 @ 7:57 am
Well………….look who’s got talent and is #1 on the Country chart this morning. i looked and I’m like WTF happened?? It’s amazing what a TV spot can do isn’t it? Maybe now someone will take him out on tour. Nice work!!
August 15, 2022 @ 6:09 pm
Come ‘on! Drake Milligan has the chops, better than anyone these days. And LOOKS. OMG, u kidding me…the moves, the raw sex appeal but still a great person. Drake should blow ALL of them out of the water if given a chance & radio airtime. If he’s NOT given that chance it’s bc THEY’RE ALL AFRAID OF HIM DOING JUST THAT….blowing them ALL out of the water. Better than Josh by far & at 23….better than ANY current male Country star. Just like the female stars, acting like jealous cats trying to take down Carrie Underwood when she arrived. But them thar’ female polecats didn’t succeed. BUT rem… Drake’s paid his dues since he was 9. Carrie did get there quick!
February 5, 2023 @ 6:32 pm
Some of the best music I’ve heard in a long time drake Milligan is true country. He is bringing back the sound that we all long for pedals and steel guitars. I believe Drake will go a long way I’m a big George Strait fan and I rank him up there with the king of country music.