In an period when major-label nation typically drifts into pop polish and thematic security, Maddye Trew’s “Single of the Yr” arrives like a breath of honky-tonk air—sharp, wry, and rooted in a deep understanding of nation music’s narrative traditions. Releasing Might 23 by way of TLG/Virgin/Trew Blue, the monitor is an excellent instance of how independent-minded artists are reclaiming emotional nuance and intelligent storytelling within the style.
From the primary line—“At this level a breakup can be catchin’ a break”—Trew crops her flag. This isn’t simply one other tune about love misplaced. It’s in regards to the sluggish, awkward ache of not even getting far sufficient to expertise a breakup. It’s a rustic ballad that sidesteps melodrama and lands someplace extra difficult—and extra trustworthy. That pressure between humor and heartache is the place nice nation lives.
The manufacturing from Grammy-winning engineer Steve Marcantonio is tastefully restrained however emotionally resonant. Electrical guitars swirl, a fiddle glints within the background, and the rhythm part retains issues transferring with a simple sway. It’s conventional sufficient to please purists however crisp sufficient for contemporary playlists. The mastering, courtesy of Adam Ayan, is radio-ready with out sacrificing heat—a troublesome steadiness in 2025’s hyper-processed panorama.
Vocally, Trew delivers a compelling efficiency that hints at her Memphis roots and Belmont coaching. Her tone is full-bodied, clear, and conversational. She doesn’t oversing. As an alternative, she leans into the phrasing like a storyteller with nothing to show—simply one thing actual to say. It’s that understated management that attracts comparisons to Miranda Lambert’s early work and Ashley McBryde’s lyrical authenticity.
What units “Single of the Yr” aside within the crowded discipline of up-and-coming nation singles is its precision. Each phrase serves the narrative. Traces like “All my buddies are tying the knot / And I’m over right here simply tying one on” don’t simply rhyme; they land like well-thrown darts. You may virtually hear the gang cheering when it performs dwell.
There’s additionally a wise branding technique at play right here. By naming the tune “Single of the Yr,” Trew flirts with self-deprecating humor whereas additionally planting a tongue-in-cheek advertising flag. It’s the form of title that begs for playlist inclusion, editorial discover, and even awards-show commentary. That dual-layer of emotional content material and business savvy is one thing her staff would do nicely to lean into.
Because the lead single from her upcoming EP Right here Goes Nothin’, “Single of the Yr” builds well on the momentum of previous releases like “Lengthy Gone John” and “Pricey Loretta.” This time, although, there’s a readability of imaginative and prescient. Maddye Trew is aware of precisely who she is as an artist—and he or she’s prepared to ensure Nashville is aware of it too.
A breakout second for a rising artist who performs the lengthy recreation—and performs it nicely.
Mindy McCall
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