HUDSON VALLEY

                                                            "Shut Me Up" 

                                                            Independent Release

Old Dominion is certainly a band at this point in their careers that needs absolutely no introduction. However, it was a whole different story in 2014. It’s hard to believe now that the reigning ACM Group of Year was only in its early stages of their upwards trajectory back then; thanks mostly in part to the success of their breakout song “Shut Me Up.”

Popular Nashville based group Hudson Valley has been including their version of the song in their live shows since forming in 2018 and they’ve seen such an amazing response to it – one that saw many people thinking it was their own song – that they’ve now released a studio recording of their version.

Whenever an act releases a cover song, the initial instinct is to listen for what makes their version different and unique from the original, while also dissecting how closely knit to the original they manage to keep it.

Hudson Valley honors the song by keeping this very close to the original in many ways, but noticeably different from the get-go is the fact that Hudson Valley is fronted by Sarah Owens whereas Old Dominion is fronted by Matt Ramsey. By having female vocals on the song rather than male, there is a completely fresh perspective automatically injected into the familiar tune. 

However, as close to the original vibe that Hudson Valley keeps this, they also throw in a little more grit and a lot more edge to the otherwise pop country driven track.

The undeniable fuzz injected into the guitar work adds a country rock edge to the track, while through the bridge the riffs soar and add an arena rock element to the overall feel before momentarily dropping to the background into the final chorus to provide an insatiable sing-along moment; a surefire reason why it makes this a perfect song in their set at any of their shows, especially those at Ol’ Red with the Lower Broadway crowd.

Between the rock kissed guitars and Sarah Owens spitfire vocals, this version of “Shut Me Up” brings a pop punk edge to its country vibe – something that makes perfect sense seeing as though Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi is one of the writers on this song and his background slightly prior to this era of Old Dominion included a stint playing in Army of Me.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)

• Prev
• Next