At just 23 years old, Conner Smith is making waves in Nashville’s esteemed songwriting community, standing out as one of Country’s most highly anticipated new artists. With 15 years of experience, Smith blends youthful passion with an old-soul perspective, delivering a captivating sound that fuses bluegrass influences with the warmth of ’90s Country on debut album ‘Smoky Mountains’ out Friday. (January 26th)
The album reflects Smith’s dedication to creating a timeless sound that encapsulates his unique style as a songwriter, vocalist, and performer. Raised in the heart of Nashville, Smith signed as a BMI songwriter at the age of 9 and inked his first publishing deal at 16, guided by the influence of industry legends like Craig Wiseman and Tom Douglas. Under the mentorship of GRAMMY® Award-winning producer/songwriter Zach Crowell, Smith’s music evolved into a blend of sophisticated writing and the cutting-edge energy driving modern Country. With hits like ‘Learn From It,’ ‘I Hate Alabama,’ and the GOLD-certified ‘Take It Slow,’ Smith has proven himself as an Artist to Watch, earning recognition from Spotify, Amazon Music, the Grand Ole Opry, and more so the arrival of a full-length project is an eagerly awaited moment for both Smith and the industry alike.
From the opening chords of the title track it’s clear that ‘Smoky Mountains’ is not going to disappoint. The album is a lively celebration of Country music and the rich culture of Tennessee and North Carolina. It seamlessly blends traditional Country with hints of Bluegrass and Rock, showcasing Smith’s versatility as an artist. Listen carefully and you can hear elements of Dierks Bentley’s classic rural sound whilst in other places there’s a more modern, Sam Hunt-leaning feel to the production and cadence of the songs.
If it’s classic Dierks you like: you know, some foot-stomping Country that mixes Bluegrass traditions with a hint of Rock, then look no further than the title track. ‘Smoky Mountains’ sets the tone with a big, uptempo sound driven by drums, fiddle, and banjo. Smith pays tribute to Country music, the people of Tennessee and North Carolina and the region itself. It’s a spirited start that grabs your attention and that only continues on into songs like ‘Creek Will Rise,’ ‘Heatin Up’ and ‘Boots in the Bleachers’.
‘Creek Will Rise’, Smith’s current single at radio sitting at number 14 in the charts this week, is a bombastic tale reminiscent of Garth Brooks’ ‘Ain’t Going Down Til the Sun Comes Up’ and Dierks Bentley’s ‘What Was I Thinkin’?’. The guitars, drums, and fiddles drive a narrative about a wild night out that is just a whole bunch of fun, making ‘Creek Will Rise’ a standout track, both on the radio and in Smith’s live performances. ‘Heatin’ Up,’ meanwhile, feels like a perfect concert opener. The song starts slow and erupts in a joyous chorus, describing a relationship in its fiery early stages. Relatable lyrics, pounding drums, and lively instrumentation make this one a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for sure whilst ‘Boots in the Bleachers’ sees Smith tackling the familiar small-town Friday night tropes with a fresh perspective. Despite well-trodden lyrical paths, his approach adds a likeable sheen and arena sensibility and the guitar solo here is a standout moment too!
There’s a fair bit of reflection and wisdom on ‘Smoky Mountains’ when you get tired of the louder, brasher songs. ‘Roulette on the Heart’, which features Hailey Whitters, is a fiddle-driven ballad that delivers a melodic and tender exploration of love’s complexities. Smith’s vocals, coupled with Whitters’ harmonies, create a rural, authentic, front-porch atmosphere and the poignant lyrics capture the struggles and frustrations of love. ‘Are you trying to love me or are you trying to kill me?’ Smith asks at one point whilst the over-arching vibe of the song is one of ‘holding somebody shouldn’t be this hard.’ Elsewhere, you’ll find ‘Regret in the Morning,’ which is a punchy ballad reminiscent of Sam Hunt’s style & cadence. It explores the desire to be more than a fleeting fling and with Smith’s strong vocals leading the way, it’s a heartfelt declaration of intentions that will resonate with both men and women alike. Closing down an album is always tricky and Conner Smith has opted for ‘God Moments’ on this project. Another thoughtful and intentionally reflective song. It begins gently with mid-tempo acoustic arrangements whilst Smith explores life’s meaning, tracking his evolution as a musician and person. The incorporation of religious elements and a sense of gratitude provides a fitting conclusion to this strong debut.
Mention must also be made of ‘Meanwhile in Carolina’ and ‘I Hate Alabama.’ The former is a sweet, wistful and melodic story song that tracks two people, destined to be together, through the various stages of their lives up to the moment they meet. Meaningful lyrics & relatable imagery makes this song instantly likeable as it drills into the affable uselessness of boys & the determined focus of girls. It just manages to stay on the right side of not being cliched or twee as it builds nicely to an inevitable meeting in the final third that screams ‘radio single’ to me. Speaking of radio, let’s address the elephant in the room that is ‘I Hate Alabama.’ Long before Megan Moroney reached number one with a song about love and football there was ‘I Hate Alabama.’ Smith’s early signature song, ‘I Hate Alabama’ is a huge singalong with clever lyrics designed to incense the good people of the state on first impressions! It’s really a song about what happens to couples when one of them goes to college or university and moves on and the other stays at home. Impactful lyrics and big melodies make this a stand out song and as good as any other song featuring colours, love and football!
In ‘Smoky Mountains,’ Conner Smith delivers a well-rounded and engaging debut album that showcases his talent as a storyteller and musician. The fusion of traditional Country with contemporary influences creates a sound that is both familiar and fresh, making this album a noteworthy addition to the Country music landscape and a fantastically strong base with which he can launch a successful career as an artist and writer. As Dierks Bentley begins to relax into his role as ‘Country Music Grandee’ this young whippersnapper from Tennessee has all the chops and skill needed to take up Bentley’s mantle and make it his very own. Watch this space.
Tracklist: 1. Smoky Mountains 2. Creek Will Rise 3. Roulette on the Heart 4. Heatin’ Up 5. Baby, I 6. Meanwhile in Carolina 7. Boots in the Bleachers 8. Take it Slow 9. Trouble 10. I Hate Alabama 11. Regret in the Morning 12. God Moments Release Date: 26th January 2024 Record Label: Big Machine / The Valory Co Buy ‘Smoky Mountains’ now
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