New Lease Music’s New Music Roundup – 28/08/26

Welcome to another country (with a tinge of R&B) edition of NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup, your weekly snapshot of great music from indie and unsigned artists from around the globe.

If you’re a regular visitor to the roundup, you’ll no doubt recognise some familiar faces—true trailblazers who continue to make their mark on the Country music scene—alongside a new artist joining the lineup for the first time.

So, whether you’re here to reconnect with some familiar favourites or discover your next musical obsession, there’s plenty to get excited about.If you like what you hear, comment below!

If you are a indie or an unsigned artist and would like your music featured on the list, send your music links and a short info about the release to submit@newleasemusic.com, with NEW MUSIC ROUNDUP in the subject line.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy the music!

PAUL MINNICH – LAWN CHAIR LIVIN’

‘Lawn Chair Livin’’ is a nostalgic, country-rock celebration of the people, places, and traditions that bring us back to who we are. Minnich paints the picture from the opening verse: “It’s tailgates and dogs on grills / It’s campfire stories that scare and thrill / It’s small town fairs and their parades / That help to end our week-long charades.”

The song’s message becomes even more personal as Minnich sings, “It brings us back to who we are / And where we come from no matter how far / Life has a way of pulling us away / So grab your chair, plant yourself and stay.”

Then comes the big, easygoing chorus: “Here’s to a life, a life worth livin’ / Load up the truck, get it stuck in the weekend / If you try to find me I’ll be outside and in / My front row to life, lawn chair livin’.”

With its rock edge, catchy hook, and unmistakable small-town charm, ‘Lawn Chair Livin’’ captures the feeling of a backyard cookout, a weekend by the dirt track, or an evening spent with friends and family. At its heart, it’s a reminder to slow down, pull up a chair, and appreciate the life happening right in front of you.

‘Lawn Chair Livin’’ is out today across all leading streaming platforms.

SLAY RACHÉ – YOU MAKE ME WANNA DANCE

Independent pop and R&B artist SLAY RACHÉ enters her most ambitious chapter yet with ‘ You Make Me Wanna Dance,’ a vibrant new single out today. Blending the infectious energy of 80s pop and dance with a contemporary sense of swagger, the track captures Raché’s instinct for instantly memorable songwriting while offering another glimpse into her forthcoming self-titled debut album ‘Slay’ due in Fall 2026.

Produced at Milkboy Studio in Philadelphia, ‘You Make Me Wanna Dance’ draws directly from Raché’s long-standing admiration for Michael Jackson and the golden era of pop and dance music. The inspiration came after she and her fiancé attended the Michael Jackson musical in New York City on Valentine’s Day, an experience that sparked the idea behind the song. What followed is a polished, high-energy pop record built around movement, attraction and the unmistakable feeling of being completely swept up in the moment.

‘You Make Me Wanna Dance’ is out today via all leafing music platforms. Why not check it out below…

BRI FLETCHER – SALTED WATER (MUSIC VIDEO)

BRI FLETCHER returns with new video for latest single, Salt Water,’ an R&B leaning anthem that cleverly uses the healing properties of salt water as a remedy for heartbreak. While the production embraces a smoother, more soulful sound, Fletcher’s signature storytelling remains at the heart of the track, blending emotional honesty with undeniable vulnerability.

The video reflects the song’s message that sometimes the first step toward moving on isn’t pretending you’re okay, it’s allowing yourself to feel everything. Fletcher transforms tears into a symbol of hope: “Thought I’d never be the one to cry online / But WebMD just said I’ll be alright”

‘Salt Water’ marks another step in Fletcher’s evolving artistry, pairing contemporary R&B influences with the heartfelt lyricism that first established her as a country songwriter. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always come from hiding your emotions, sometimes it comes from embracing them.

With “Salt Water,” Bri Fletcher continues to carve out a lane entirely her own, proving that authentic storytelling can transcend genre while resonating with anyone who’s ever cried, healed, and found strength on the other side of a heartbreak. Watch the video below…

HOPE DOUDS – COASTAL COWGIRLS

HOPE DOUDS‘ latest single, ‘Coastal Cowgirls’ is a bright, carefree country anthem made for the girls chasing sunshine, salty air, and a little summertime escape.Blending Hope’s Southern roots with the carefree energy of the coast, the song captures that feeling of leaving your worries behind and trading the everyday for turquoise water, warm nights, and a little wild cowgirl spirit.

Hope brings that energy to life with playful lines like, “Rope them all in like a wild horse out on the beach / Want all the turquoise vibes ’gainst the sparkling Atlantic sea / All the coastal cowgirls / Come, follow me.” The song paints an instantly vivid picture of beach days, sparkling water, sun-kissed skin, drinks by the shore, and a whole lot of yee-haw energy.

At its heart, ‘Coastal Cowgirls’ is an invitation to embrace the carefree side of country living. It’s for the girls who can bring their country roots anywhere, trade their ball caps for a beachside state of mind, and turn a simple summer getaway into an adventure. With its playful attitude and feel-good spirit, the song arrives as a natural fit for summer playlists and the final stretch of the season.

‘Coastal Cowgirls’ is out now across various music platforms. Check it out below…

MADDIE LENHART – WHY IN THE WORLD

MADDIE LENHART returns with her most compelling release to date with single, ‘Why in the World’.

Produced by Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne) and co-written by Maddie with Jay Knowles (Alan Jackson, Lainey Wilson) and Jen Stegall (Carter Faith), “Why in the World” is a cinematic country heartbreak song that turns grief into a search for meaning after losing the person you thought you’d spend forever with. Baritone guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, and layered harmonies meet polished, modern production, creating a sweeping record that bridges classic country storytelling with a fresh, contemporary edge.

The hook of the song lies in its escalating questions— starting with universal truths and spiraling into emotional collapse: “Summers are hot / Winter is cold / We spin on an axis / And gravity holds us down to the ground / So we can’t fly / Why? / Why do fish breathe water? / But we breathe the air? / Why do numbers add up, / But life isn’t fair? / Somebody put the word good / In goodbye / Why?”

From there, it turns inward, landing on the chorus: “There’s so many questions / That I’ve just accepted / I’ll never have answers to / But I still get stuck / On the ones about us / Why was the one thing I wanted the most the one thing I had to lose / Why is the hardest why in the world… you?”

‘Why in the World’ is the third release from her debut EP. Why not check it out below…

YINKA WILLIAMS – WE CAN’T START IT AGAIN

UK singer-songwriter YINKA WILLIAMS continues to establish herself as a compelling new voice in contemporary soul and R&B with her latest single, ‘We Can’t Start It Again’. Blending soulful storytelling with warm, contemporary production and subtle country-pop influences, the track marks a deeply personal new chapter for an artist whose music is rooted in honesty, emotional connection and self-discovery.

Built around the universal experience of closing a chapter and finding the strength to move forward, ‘We Can’t Start It Again’ is a quietly empowering reflection on resilience and knowing your worth. Yinka’s soulful delivery brings warmth and vulnerability to the track, with an expressive vocal style that recalls the timeless melodic sensibilities of 2000s R&B while maintaining a distinctly contemporary edge.

‘We Can’t Start It Again’ is out now across various music platforms. Listen below…

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