Hey music fans, welcome to this week’s suggested ear candy!
As I usually do, let’s start with Top 40/Hot AC. My first choice goes to Miley Cyrus / “Easy Lover.” This is not a cover of the massive hit from Phil Collins and Phillip Bailey from the 1980s. It’s, however, a soulful, hooky song from Miley’s Something Beautiful album.
Next choice for this week. If your ears have not yet digested Maren Morris / “Lemonade,” you need to remedy that soon. Love the hook on this one. Next, another one from the ladies this week. Get your ears on Julia Michaels / “Try Your Luck”.
Moving into the Rock universe, Yellowcard / “Better Days” with early, solid support from Alt 98.7 in LA, and X-96 in Salt Lake City is worth putting into your ears.
I’m kind of obsessed with Wednesday / “Elderberry Wine,” which sounds like a strong record for the Triple A format. Great to hear Gavin Rossdale’s Bush / “The Land Of Milk And Honey”, worthy of a listen for sure!
On to the Country world. It was supposed to drop today, but I’m now hearing it will be released on Monday, following CMA Fest in Nashville this weekend. However, I’ve heard it, and you’ll want to hear it for sure. Zach Top’s “Good Times & Tan Lines” sounds like a summer smash!
Another one that deserves your time is Brett Young / “Drink With You.” It has a decent start at Country radio but needs more believers. Parmalee /”Cowgirl” is very catchy, and K102 in Minneapolis is a big believer with over 500 spins, same for KSON in San Diego.
In the Rhythmic world this week, here are a few choices for your ears to digest. Joe Leone / “Over Under” has a very old-school vibe, it’s good! Tommy Richman / “Actin Up” sounds like a strong one for Hip-Hop radio.
One last one for you this week: Umi X 6Lack’s “Hard Truths” certainly should have your ears on it, if they haven’t already.
There you go. Some ear candy for your weekend! Have a great one. More next week, and please feel free to email me songs you believe in that many others may not yet!
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Jim Ryan is a Music Radio columnist for Barrett Media. In addition, he runs Jim Ryan Media LLC, a consulting company which assists major market radio brands and top talent including national radio personality Delilah. Prior to relaunching his consultancy in 2025, Jim spent 15 years with Audacy/CBS Radio, serving as SVP of Programming. Among his responsibilities included programming WNEW-FM and WCBS-FM. His career includes additional programming stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Jim was voted the #2 PD of 2024 in Barrett Media’s Top 20 series in the AC category. He can be reached by email at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com.
