Scotty McCreery‘s latest Rise and Fall and Carly Pearce‘s hummingbird album are each being recognized by Billboard. Both were included on their list of 50 Best Albums of 2024 (So Far), part of an all-genre list that also includes records by Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Pearl Jam and more.
McCreery’s 13-track Rise and Fall was praised for its adherence to the roots of country music.
“’Traditional’ isn’t a word that often inspires enthusiasm when talking about new music — but dust off your boots because Scotty McCreery made a classic country album, and boy, does it hit,” editor Christine Werthman writes. “McCreery steers clear of any current Nashville pop trends on Rise & Fall, instead doubling down on acoustic, electric and slide guitars, stomping, sturdy rhythms and a rich baritone that’s been the star of the show since he won American Idol in 2011.
“He’s got the tender moments (‘Love Like This’), the clever wordplay songs (‘Cab in a Solo’) and plenty of knee-slappers (‘And Countin’’),” she adds. “And if that weren’t enough to make this a well-rounded record, he’s got a ‘three chords and the truth’ thesis to tie it all together in ‘No Country for Old Men,’ which shows that McCreery did his homework — and it paid off.”
Pearce’s hummingbird project was recognized for the masterful way she followed her former, painfully honest album with 14 songs that show Pearce’s skills and abilities, both as a vocalist and songwriter, and her deep, deep love of country music.
“Pearce followed her career-elevating post-divorce project 29 (and its expanded Written in Stone deluxe edition) by further mining her country roots for new set hummingbird, threading these 14 sharply crafted songs with fiddle and steel guitar, centered by Pearce’s honeyed Kentucky twang,” Billboard‘s Jessica Nicholson says.
“There are more expertly rendered breakup anthems (‘Rock Paper Scissors’ and ‘We Don’t Fight Anymore’) here,” she continues, “but as the album unfolds, flutters of hard-fought resilience and healing are also present — notably on the title track and ‘Trust Issues’ — making the album an admirable encapsulation of Pearce’s nearly three-year journey of relationship gains and losses.”
McCreery and Pearce share more in common than releasing incredible albums this year. The two are also now both members of the Grand Ole Opry after McCreery was inducted in April.
“This is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” McCreery said prior to his induction. “Since I was a kid, my mom was telling me about coming to the Opry in the ’70s, when she was younger. Whispering Bill was playing that night. She’ll never forget it. I’ve always hoped this day would come, so it’s very special.”
McCreery is headlining his own shows over the next several months. After celebrating his sixth No. 1 hit with “Cab In A Solo,” McCreery is back at radio with “Fall of Summer,’ his second single from Rise and Fall. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at ScottyMcCreery.com.
Pearce is currently serving as the opening act on Tim McGraw‘s Standing Room Only Tour. She has a Top 15 single with “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” featuring Chris Stapleton. Find all of Pearce’s music and upcoming shows at CarlyPearce.com.