GRACE LEER

                                                                "Ones Before Me'" 

                                                                19 Entertainment

Though she was first brought into our homes through her appearance on season 18 of American Idol, Grace Leer has really positioned herself since then as one of country music’s next potential breakout artists.

Her recent song releases such as the tempo driven “Brought A Girl” and the very vulnerable “After 1,” not only showcased two different sides of what she brings to the table, but they also allowed her incredibly powerful vocals to become her bold signature as they expertly carried all the proper emotions wrapped into the lyrics of each song.

However, it’s with her brand-new single “Ones Before Me” that Grace Leer is primed to elevate her status to buzzworthy artist and become one of the most talked about of the genre.

The irresistible, sing-along song, written by Madison Kozak, Andy Skibb and Catt Gravitt, is a celebration of country music’s biggest icons and legends, but it also acts as a humble thank you note to them for paving the way for artists like her.

The echoey start to the production as the guitar lick strikes through the intro immediately sets the vinyl record like tone and presents a vibe that has you wondering if this is a lost country song from dusty 1970’s era, before it then pushes into a sway along groove that’s built for a line dance infused honky-tonk dancehall.

“I wanna raise up a glass to the legends of the past,” exclaims Leer, setting the entire aura from the song’s opening line as she then slides us through several namechecks in an honor-like fashion, mentioning everyone from Hank Williams Sr. to Johnny Cash, Loretta, Waylon, Willie, Tammy, Conway, and the most famous call letters on the AM dial, WSM!

Fun and clever lyrics pull us through the second verse (and the chorus) as Leer rewinds us to a bygone era with visuals that sing of teasing her hair so high it’ll reach Jesus, rhinestones being in their prime, and finding a man who looks like rock-a-billy Memphis era Elvis, while also playfully checking our knowledge of a country music icon by referencing a song title when she sings the line, “Kiss ‘em til he falls to pieces.”

Though we’ve got a similar mid-tempo, toe-tapping side from Leer previously on “Brought A Girl,” the retro production aspects and throwback style in the delivery on “One’s Before Me” feels refreshingly vintage and makes you want to hear more as you groove along.

Most importantly, though, Grace Leer gives us one last teaser before her self-titled debut EP drops next month (September 14, 2022) and she’s effectively pulled us in hook, line, and sinker and has us hyped about what else could still be uncovered within’ her signature feel that we’ve yet to hear from her.   

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)

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