We have been eagerly awaiting Breland’s deluxe version of Cross Country titled Cross Country: The Extra Mile since he announced it was in the making at C2C Festival in London earlier this year.

Fast forward to August and Breland released his new and first single from the deluxe album Cowboy Don’t. The most country sounding song on the album, Breland covers irony here better than Alanis ever did.

“It is the most country sounding song that I have had but also the least country lyrics because I am going through it and kind of talking about my experience of being somewhat a non-traditional country artist and doing things that a cowboy don’t you know? It’s a fun little song that I think if you zoom out of it a little bit it really does kind of talk about my experience in country music being a black artist from New Jersey of all places. There isn’t anyone else like me in country so when people are like “well country music is supposed to sound like this” or “ it’s supposed to look like this” or whatever else, this song to me is my way of saying “hey, if you’re not listening at all, you’ve got what you want but if you’re listening, I’m actually proving my point”.

A fun and very up beat track, Cowboy Don’t is the perfect line-dancing, dancing in general kind of song that is so much joy to listen to.

In full Breland style for Thirsty – It’s these cross over genre songs that makes Breland such an exciting new artist in the country music genre. A song that was his late Grandmother’s favourite, she is even featured on a snippet at the end.

“It’s a tempo song and I really would have not expected this to be her favourite but a week before she died she was like “why isn’t it out yet?” and I was like “Grandma, it takes time for these songs to come out you know?” So it’s a fun song but I was actually able to record her talking about it (laughs) I just happened to be recording our conversation and she was talking about how much she loved it and I put a little snippet at the end..”

Anniversary is a song that I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a single. A nice and smooth, mid-tempo track with R&B infused elements within a country twanging background – Anniversary is a great track with an infectious beat and an overall feel-good melody. Breland’s vocals are showcased so beautifully on this track!

Cracks, an early favourite is going to be insane live, especially with a full band. The track is absolutely on fire with its folk-rock/Bluegrass melody helped by a wonderful use of instruments such as the banjo. Cracks is delightfully enjoyable with an irresistible sound and energy throughout that makes it atmospheric and somewhat emotional. The build up in the song and the bridge is powerful and full of feeling!

Guilty Pleasure feat Brittney Spencer is sentimental and exquisite. The lyrics “I’m fine, I swear to god I’m really doing fine” is so perfectly sung by Spencer in such a believable, reminiscent way that you can really feel what she is singing. In fact, the whole song is so heart-wrenching in its words, music and the way it’s sung that you almost cry along with it! This song needs to be released as a single and taking up awards such as Musical Event of the Year.

A song that Breland fans have heard at shows this year and have been dying for it to be released is The Extra Mile. A breathtakingly good ballad, the song is inspirational and moving.

“I think that something that this song Extra Mile really speaks to is that we all go through things and are trying to figure out how to process really complicated nuances and emotions but for most of us at least, we’re trying to find a way to keep moving forward and that’s really what The Extra Mile is about.”

Breland is one of the best new artists to emerge within country music. Whether you consider him country or not shouldn’t really matter because good music is good music and Breland is that and more. This is just the introduction of Breland’s many talents. His artistry is ever expanding and we are only going to be in for bigger, better and brighter things from him as the years go on.

Here is our review of the original release of Cross Country here.