Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#119)

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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. New songs just added.

Editor’s Note: The Top 25 Playlist was served a take down notice by Spotify this week. It is currently up and running now though. For more info, see the editor’s note at the bottom.

Newest Additions:

Turnpike Troubadours – “Mean Old Sun” – You knew the first song from the Turnpike Troubadours in six years would make it on here. Lucky for us, it kicks ass as well, with a distinct Turnpike sound, yet a slightly evolved approach from the imaginative production of Shooter Jennings. A Cat in the Rain is out August 25th.

Leroy from the North – “Homemade Crosses” – This is one to crank loud, with that 70s classic/Southern rock vibe coming on strong, and a good song premise by frontman Eli Wulfmeier. Debut album Toughen Up out June 23rd.

Megan Moroney – “Girl in the Mirror” – Moroney is the latest mainstream country artist making it evidently clear that it’s a new era in popular country. Not only is the steel guitar and twang pronounced on her new debut Lucky, the album is blessed with some great songwriting too, evidenced by this excellent track.

Houston Bernard – “Don’t Feel Like a Livin’” – Originally from Oklahoma and a distinguished musical family, Houston Bernard is getting ready to join the family business with his Songs for the People EP out May 19th. He starts with this excellent ode speaking to the struggles of the working man.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – “Cast Iron Skillet” – Even Isbell’s detractors must admit that he’s one of our generation’s top songwriters, and those that won’t are lying to themselves. “Cast Iron Skillet” finds Jason and the 400 Unit in 2013 form. It’s the most promising track so far from his upcoming album Weathervanes out June 9th.

David Adam Byrnes – “Drinking Games” – David Adam Byrnes just keeps delivering with one great traditional country single after another. This one is about that ex-lover we’ve all had whose level of inebriation directly affects their desire to share their feelings, sometimes for the better, but usually for the worse.

The Malpass Brothers – “I’ve Got Her On My Mind Again” – The new album Lonely Street from The Malpass Brothers is so damn good, they’re being granted the rare double entry on the Top 25 Playlist. This song was written by Doyle Lawson and Paul Humphrey. Lawson also produced the new album.
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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, Apple Music, and Tidal. 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:

  • “Mean Old Sun” – Turnpike Troubadours – A Cat in the Rain (8-25)
  • “Sleep When The Party’s Over” – Malpass Brothers – Lonely Street 
  • “Running Out Of Hope, Arkansas” – Brennen Leigh – Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet (6-16)
    “California Sober” – Billy Strings feat. Willie Nelson – (single)
  • “Girl in the Mirror” – Megan Moroney – Lucky
  • “Homemade Crosses” – Leroy from the North – Toughen Up (6-23)
  • “Wildwood Baby” – Gloria Anderson – Households EP 
  • “Easier and Harder” – William Prince – Stand In The Joy (4-21)
  • “State You Left Me In” – Jake Worthington – Self-Titled
  • “Cast Iron Skillet” – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes (6-9)
  • “Drinking Games” – David Adam Byrnes – (single)
  • “Break My Heart” – Bella White – Among Other Things
  • “Even Jesus Got The Blues” – Gabe Lee – Drink The River (7-14)
  • “Yesterday’s Burn” – The War and Treaty – Lover’s Game
  • “One Glass of Whiskey” – Robbie Fulks – Bluegrass Vacation
  • “Nobody’s Gonna Cry For Me” – Josie Toney – Extra
  • “Don’t Feel Like a Livin'” – Houston Bernard – Songs for the People EP (5-19)
  • “El Dorodo” – Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway – City of Gold (7-21)
  • “I’ve Got Her On My Mind Again” – Malpass Brothers – Lonely Street 
  • “One Of These Days” – Chancey Williams – One Of These Days
  • “Tequila & Forgiveness – Katie Jo, Elijah Ocean – (single)
  • “Hard Road to Hold” – Lance Roark – Better Man
  • “A Cowgirl Rides On” – Victoria Bailey – (single)
  • “You Drive Back” – Aaron McDonnell – (single)
  • “April’s Fool” – Bo Hazard – (single)
  • “Doc’s Guitar / Black Mountain Rag” – Tommy Emmanuel with Billy Strings – Accomplice Two

Editor’s Note: Last week, Saving Country Music received a “takedown notice” for the Top 25 Playlist by Spotify with no real explanation except a curt message saying the terms of service had been violated, even though the playlist has been the exact same since 2017 when it was launched aside from updating the songs. Though the playlist remained up and public, the title and image were scrubbed from the playlist by Spotify. Spotify has been contacted for clarity as to what policies the playlist violated.

The Top 25 Current Playlist is a critical part of the Saving Country Music ecosystem as a way to feature songs instead of albums. Album reviews are what make up the bulk of SCM’s print coverage, making an outlet for songs critical. This playlist now has over 8,900 followers (thought it lost about 20 in the takedown), and has helped launch careers and viral singles for important underserved artists. Spotify has been the top partner in the playlist, and it’s unfortunate that the playlist appears to be under threat.

If the playlist happens to disappear again on Spotify, please understand everything is being done to rectify the situation, and to check back here for updates.

© 2025 Saving Country Music

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