Nashville and country music are an undeniable couple. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the two ideas are rarely presented as separate. Unfortunately, most contemporary country music is total crap. Without tearing down a path of specifics I think we can all agree that big country is not something a respectful Nashville resident would want to be associated with.

Enter Those Darlins. If you aren’t familiar with them yet, you should spend some time with their just launched Lake Fever Session and consider checking out their new album that hits shelves July 7th (or, available on vinyl now). They are, without a doubt, country music as it should be created. It’s got the necessary twang but it also has a swagger to it that any “rock” band should take note of.

• Hung Up on Me
• Snaggletooth Mama
• DUI or Die