Another handful of EPs for y’all on this fine Friday, and all three that we cannot wait to share with you! Let’s dive right in!

Everette: Keys to Kentucky

So, let’s get the obvious out of the way. I love this duo. I did a big reaction video to some of their singles, gave their last EP top marks, and LOVED seeing them live. And I’ve been avoiding the singles from this EP because I wanted to do another reaction, though sadly ran out of time. So, I’m super excited to dive into this and see what it’s like!

Right from the opening moments they had me hooked, and didn’t let me go for the full 19-minutes. All six tracks are amazing, the vocal harmonies between Anthony and Brent being some of the best in the game these days, without question. It is a touch slower and more folk/Americana than their last release, slightly less designed for the radio. However, that isn’t to say it isn’t incredible, with songs like ‘Picnic Table’, ‘Trippin’ and ‘Another Man Down’ being huge highlights. The latter is one of the best closers to a release I’ve heard this year, and truly epic for a country track.

I do have to say I don’t think it’s quite as good as their previous EP. However, that was a hugely tall task, and this is still excellent. It’s a different direction for the band and the more I listen the more I fall in love with it. They deserve to be a massive name, and this EP will surely continue to push them in that direction! They have to come back to the UK, it’s already been too long since I’ve seen them and I’d love to see these all live! 9/10

Ravenhymn: I Saw the Wolf

A real interesting one next, and something a little different for us here. A bagpipe/flute driven medieval band, yet still also with heavy leanings in metal. There’s plenty of great, distorted guitar riffs over the folky wind lead melodies. It’s certainly different and quirky, but is packed full of charm and I couldn’t help but love it. It’s a sound and combination I never thought I’d hear executed like this, but it works very well. I feel like this would be even more live than it is on track, and that’s saying something! ‘Wassail’ was my favourite on the release, but the more I listened the more I enjoyed all of it. It’s a damn solid EP that is over far too quick, I’d LOVE a full album from the band! It’s certainly not going to be for everyone, and the production is a touch in-your-face at times, but if you’re into more of folky, power metal thing, you’re most certainly going to enjoy this! 8/10

Colin Stough: Lookin’ for Home

This is exactly what you’d think of when you think of country music, and it’s excellent. The American Idol alumni has a cracking, low, powerful voice, and some incredible song-writing talent for the genre. Whether it’s the upbeat opener or more darker, slower, emotional tracks like ‘Amen’ or ‘Makes Two of Us’, he does both styles perfectly.

It’s insane how ridiculously talented Colin is at such a young age. Being barely into his 20s and this being his second EP, the sky is honestly the lowest limit the kid has. His voice is incredible, and his songwriting skill is amazing for someone so young. He sings and emotes like someone much older who’s been through so much more. I’m shocked more people aren’t talking about him already, but they certainly will if this EP has anything to say about it. If Promiseland was his debut, this sophomore release is him saying ‘I’m here to stay, and I’m gunning for the top’. All six tracks are amazing, with personal favourite of mine ‘Sober’ even giving me chills. This is certainly an EP worth checking out if you’re a country fan, and I’ll certainly be playing it a lot in the coming weeks and months. 8.5/10