Growing up in small-town Georgia, country singer-songwriter Peytan Porter developed an obsession with storytelling, sharp lyricism and the kind of “deep cuts” that reveal more with every listen. Drawing inspiration from artists across country, Americana and classic singer-songwriter traditions, Porter has steadily built a reputation in Nashville for emotionally candid writing that balances vulnerability with wit. Her music blends modern country textures with deeply personal narratives, often exploring heartbreak, self-discovery and the messy realities of growing up.
Since arriving in Nashville, Porter has emerged as one of the genre’s most promising young voices, earning attention for her fearless songwriting and genre-blurring sound. Across releases including ‘In My Head' and now ‘Deep Cut – B Side,' she has continued to lean into raw honesty and diaristic storytelling, crafting songs that feel intimate yet universally relatable. With a growing fanbase and a reputation for turning life’s quieter moments into striking lyrical detail, Porter represents a new generation of country artists unafraid to mix emotional depth with contemporary edge.
There’s a striking sense of self-definition running through ‘Deep Cut – B Side,' the new EP from Peytan Porter. Written over the course of more than two years and arriving after what Porter describes as “my entire professional infrastructure ending,” the project feels less like a collection of songs and more like a personal reset: an artist finally allowing every side of herself to exist in the same room. Country, pop, funk, rock, West Coast sheen and bluesy intimacy all collide here, but rather than sounding scattered, the EP thrives because Porter fully commits to the contradictions. The result is a confident, emotionally charged collection that captures the chaos, humour, sensuality and heartbreak of being young and figuring yourself out in real time.
The title track immediately establishes that mission statement. ‘Deep Cut' arrives with a playful funky guitar riff and a laid-back groove that feels effortlessly cool as Porter rejects the idea of fitting neatly into traditional country expectations. “I’m not your country gold throwback, I’m a bit more airstream, daydream,” she sings, framing herself as both restless and romantic before the song explodes into a slick, soulful declaration of devotion. The metaphor of wanting to be someone’s “45 B-side” or “deep cut” is clever because it suggests something personal, lasting and treasured beyond the obvious singles. Musically, it’s one of the most sophisticated moments on the EP: sexy without trying too hard, smooth without losing its bite. Porter’s rich, clear vocals glide over the groove with genuine charisma, introducing a project that refuses to be boxed into one lane.
That refusal becomes even more entertaining on ‘Blue Calls,' arguably the EP’s most immediately infectious moment. Built around a tongue-in-cheek play on the phrase ‘blue balls,' the song bursts forward with urgent pop energy and a mischievous sense of humour. “Holy shit, what’s a girl gotta do to get you all to herself?” Porter demands before eventually screaming “Pick up the fucking phone!” with growing frustration. There’s something brilliantly unapologetic about the way she flips a traditionally male expression of sexual frustration into her own perspective, and she does it without losing the fun. Sonically, the song sits somewhere between glossy country-pop and late-90s pop punk: imagine Avril Lavigne crashing a writing session with Megan Moroney. The explosive vocal moment in the final stretch feels tailor-made for live shows, the kind of chorus built for fans to scream back with fists in the air.
If ‘Blue Calls' showcases Porter’s playful side, ‘Just Who You Are (Unfortunately)' reveals her sharpest writing. The track pivots into diss-track territory, targeting toxic female friendships and people who excuse cruel behaviour with astrology, tarot cards or Mercury being in retrograde. “Don’t blame the moon… it’s not the sky that makes you mean, babe, it’s just who you are!” Porter snaps, delivering one of the EP’s best lyrical punches. There’s an undeniable satisfaction in how direct the song is, not bitter for the sake of it, but fed up in a way that feels relatable and refreshing. Musically, the song leans into polished pop-country with a hazy West Coast glow, layered harmonies and cinematic rock production that give it the feel of something lifted from the soundtrack of a stylish coming-of-age drama. It’s confident and deeply catchy.
‘Tell Me You Don’t Love Me' then shifts the emotional perspective inward. Opening with bluesy guitar lines and intimate vocals, the song explores emotional paralysis and the inability to fully commit because another relationship still lingers in the background. “What am I supposed to do? I wanna fall into his arms… but you make it hard,” Porter confesses, capturing the guilt and confusion of emotional overlap with painful honesty. The production once again blends country-pop textures with dreamy West Coast influences, but here everything feels more restrained and intimate. Porter excels throughout the EP at balancing sensuality with vulnerability, and this track may be the clearest example of that combination. Her layered harmonies drift through the mix almost like intrusive thoughts, making the emotional uncertainty feel immersive rather than simply described.
The closing track, ‘Are You Moving On?' delivers the EP’s emotional knockout punch. Expansive, atmospheric production wraps around restrained guitar lines and echoing vocals as Porter wrestles with the reality that an ex may actually be happier without her. “I thought I was through the missing you,” she admits before spiralling into the devastating question at the heart of the song. “This ain’t the way it’s supposed to play out,” she laments, unable to reconcile the fantasy of heartbreak with the reality of someone else moving forward. The song’s lush country-pop production, hazy textures and emotional spaciousness make it feel almost cinematic, but it’s Porter’s vocal performance that truly lands the blow. There’s restraint in the way she delivers the lyrics that makes the heartbreak feel more believable: she sounds less like someone dramatically falling apart and more like someone quietly realising they’ve already lost.
What makes ‘Deep Cut – B Side' particularly compelling is how cohesive it feels despite drawing from so many different genres and emotional tones. Across the project, Porter moves from playful sexuality to cutting sarcasm, romantic confusion and aching heartbreak without ever sounding like she’s changing character. Instead, the EP succeeds because every song feels connected by the same core idea: refusing to simplify yourself for other people’s expectations. Whether she’s embracing desire, calling out toxic behaviour or mourning a relationship, Porter consistently writes from a place of emotional honesty and self-awareness.
More than anything, ‘Deep Cut – B Side' feels like an artist finally trusting her instincts. Rather than chasing a single sound or trying to fit into one particular version of country music, Peytan Porter embraces the blur between genres and identities. The project’s strongest moments come from that freedom: from the funk grooves and pop-punk bursts to the dreamy country-pop balladry that ties everything together. If this EP truly is only the first chapter of a larger project, then Porter has laid down an exciting foundation. She sounds fearless here, and that authenticity gives ‘Deep Cut – B Side' both its personality and its staying power.
Tracklist: 1. Deep Cut 2. Blue Calls 3. Just Who You Are (Unfortunately) 4. Tell Me You Don't Love Me 5. Are You Moving On? Release Date: 29th May Record Label: Independent Learn more about Payton Porter right here.
