Drake Milligan // 'Jukebox Songs' // EP Review

Drake Milligan burst onto the scene back in 2022 with his debut album ‘Dallas/Fort Worth’ which quickly became hailed as one of the best albums of the year. Since then, he has continued to release a steady stream of new tracks and EP’s bringing us to his first release of this year ‘Jukebox Songs’.

While only 4 tracks long, ‘Jukebox Song’ is still packed with a whole range of Milligan’s talents. From the more traditional sounding “Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers” which has a very classic and “old school sound”, it’s clear that Drake takes a lot of influence into his writing while still maintaining a sound which is his own. “What I couldn’t Forget” has a much more modern sound to it which we hear in a lot of the big country stars of the last 20 years, however that’s not to say it’s a copy and repeat. There is still an individuality to the sound that crosses into ‘I’ve got a Problem too’. The cleverness of this EP however is the way that the songs link, the lyrics for example in “What I couldn’t Forget” directly link to “Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers” showing the clear vision that was put into the EP in telling this story. No EP or album can be without a soulful ballad and Milligan doesn’t let us down with this as the beautiful melody and rhythmic vocals of “Don’t Leave Me Loving You” perfectly rounds off the whole record.

If you’ve not come across Drake Milligan as an artist, then this EP is the perfect introduction to one of the top new singers taking over the Country Charts. “Jukebox Songs” is a well thought through collection of songs that cover everything that you might ask for from an artist and more. If you’re heading to C2C (Country to Country) this year then, you’ll want to catch Milligan’s set and if not, there’s plenty to add to your playlists from his back catalogue until he’s back on our shores. I know this EP will be prime place on my listening rotation!

Drake’s ‘Jukebox Songs’ EP, arrives Feb 16th

Review: Emmie Ellis

JUKEBOX SONGS TRACKLIST:

1. What I Couldn’t Forget

2. I Got A Problem

3. Don’t Leave Me Loving You

4. Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers

(Produced by Trent Willmon)

Milligan recently returned to his primetime-TV roots, competing on NBC’s upcoming America’s Got Talent spin-off show, Fantasy League, and will also return overseas in March to perform on the main stage at C2C (Country to Country) Festival in London, Glasgow, Belfast, Berlin and Rotterdam. Full dates below:

Saturday, 2nd March – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall

Sunday, 3rd March – Rotterdam, Netherlands – RTM Stage

Friday, 8th March – Belfast, United Kingdom – SSE Arena

Saturday, 9th March – Glasgow, United Kingdom – OVO Hydro

Sunday, 10th March – London, United Kingdom – The O2 Arena

ABOUT DRAKE MILLIGAN:

Drake Milligan burst onto the national music stage entering the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart at #5 after dominating iTunes with his debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, charting back-to-back #1 hits on the iTunes Country Songs Chart, #1 on iTunes All-Genre Chart and reclaimed the #1 spot on iTunes Country Albums Chart, all while simultaneously holding positions #1, #2, #3 and #5 on iTunes Country Video Chart. In the UK, Milligan’s debut album spent 11 consecutive weeks in the Top 20 of the Official Country Artists Albums Chart. A student of classic Country music with the swagger of early Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Fort Worth, Texas native is an electrifying entertainer who cites George Strait and Elvis Presley – the King of Country and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – as musical heroes, and his unique twist of traditional Country has been embraced by fans, peers and the media alike.

Milligan has performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and CMA Music Festival, and earned high praise from People, BBC, USA Today, Parade, American Songwriter, CMT.com, Billboard, ET, Access Hollywood, Cosmopolitan, Cowgirl Magazine and Taste of Country. Following his Dallas/Fort Worth debut – named “One of the Best Country Albums of 2022” by Billboard and others – Milligan uncorked a Canadian Country Radio #1 in 2023 (“Honky Tonkin’ About” with The Reklaws), garnered 5 million views in just a few months with “Cowgirl For Christmas,” and headlined the massive New Year’s Eve celebration at the famed “World’s Largest Honky Tonk,” Billy Bob’s Texas, where he had also delivered two sold-out homecoming shows in the previous year. Looking ahead, the Stoney Creek Records phenom has dropped “Don’t Leave Me Loving You” – a timeless heartbreak ballad with a modern edge – and is set to release his new EP, Jukebox Songs, on February 16. The acclaimed “Artist to Watch” (CMT, Pandora, etc.) returned to his primetime TV roots for the America’s Got Talent spin-off show, Fantasy League, and hits the road alongside Cody Johnson on his 2024 U.S. arena tour.