On Father’s Day, Shooter Jennings dropped the much-anticipated single off the forthcoming album of his father’s recently discovered and unpublished songs. And it doesn’t disappoint. “Songbird” is beautiful and big and thoughtful. And while it may sound like the past, the music is timeless. It fits perfectly in today’s conversation about authenticity.

Jennings is one of my favorite country artists of all time, in part because I like the way he embodies a song. From his own compositions to his covers, Waylon Jennings is about as country as it gets for me.

I’m excited for the rest of this to come out, and I hope that this new album, produced by Shooter and Charley Crockett, opens a new generation up to an era of country music I think is due for a major revival.

There are a lot of big names on my list this week, but that is because they made some great music. Who do you have on yours?

A song rich with Burrow’s tried-and-true references and rugged vocal range, “Disappearing Ink” is a massive song, featuring complex arrangements that tell a uniquely Texas story. I hear something new each time I listen. Burrow’s multifaceted support of this genre, through his songwriting, performance and running The Red Bird Listening Room, all enhance his ability to impact this music for the better. It’s clear he’s just getting started.

A rocking, pop-trying-to-be-alt-because-of-the-banjo-runs song, “No Evil” is a pitch-perfect protest song for our time. Porter tells us her existence will not be erased, even as so many seem to want to silence those who do not bend to expectations. The full EP includes other favorites issued earlier this year as singles, and is a wonderful view of the artist’s range.

The right song to follow Porter’s “No Evil,” Price’s latest effort and first back as a solo country artist, doesn’t pull any punches and lands a few. Go listen to it and read what she wrote about it. It’s good stuff. We need more songs like these two from strong women who are taking the space they've earned in country music. Also peak her backing band in this video and the writing credits.

DAMN. This song is beautiful. The lyrics. The production. The deep sadness you feel as grit of Culpepper’s voice twists itself together with the intricacies of Ferrell’s. The care they took to layer the sounds together shouldn’t be ignored. “Broken Wing Bird” will be on the list of best songs come the end of the year and it might win itself some awards.

I’m excited to see what Rick Rubin and Childers will do together on Snipe Hunter, which drops on July 25. This song has long been a favorite of mine from his early work, and this larger sound and production do it justice. Some of the criticism of Childers is that he’s not made a “real country” album since Country Squire (which is beyond a stupid argument, but whatever), and I wonder what those savior complex folks will say about this effort. “Nose On The Grindstone” is as country of a song — from themes to structure — as Childers has in his catalog. I’d be willing to bet “they” will find something wrong with the production or the politics, but I don’t care. This is going to be great.