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Drake Milligan: Self-titled EP – Review




From the opening notes of Drake Milligan’s debut EP it’s clear there’s something different about the 23-year old country crooner. The Texas native isn’t leaning into popular trends here, but is instead embracing a sound that can be best described as “old school in a new way.” Joining a class that includes the likes of Midland, William Michael Morgan, Josh Turner, and Mo Pitney, Milligan is putting a modern spin on country music that has a more traditional sound.


From the opening notes of Drake Milligan’s debut EP it’s clear there’s something different about the 23-year old country crooner. The Texas native isn’t leaning into popular trends here, but is instead embracing a sound that can be best described as “old school in a new way.” Joining a class that includes the likes of Midland, William Michael Morgan, Josh Turner, and Mo Pitney, Milligan is putting a modern spin on country music that has a more traditional sound.



Recently signed to BBR Music Group/ Stoney Creek Records, the EP marks Milligan’s first release of original music. The singer-songwriter moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Nashville at the age of nineteen and has spent the last four years honing his craft alongside some of Music City’s biggest names. “The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers, and engineers that Nashville has to offer,” says Milligan in a statement. “I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!”

The EP, produced by country icons Tony Brown and Brandon Hood, opens with “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’,” a classic-sounding country drinking song. With twangy fiddle and mid-tempo country guitars, Milligan sings of the chaos that happens in a honky-tonk when the crowd’s got one thing on its mind.


“Don’t Look Down” is a romantic ode to getting lost on the dance floor with someone special. Musically, the track has a swinging tempo, slide guitars, and an almost ethereal sound as Milligan sings of being “in love with the rhythm of holding you girl.” He invites her to enjoy the special moment, “Don’t look down // Just keep your eyes on me,” he implores his dance partner. “I wanna be all you see // While we’re spinning around.”


“Kiss Goodbye All Night” continues the theme of enjoying and savoring a special moment, showing Milligan’s fun side. The music and tempo is reminiscent of Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance?”, and the song is pure country fun. Milligan shines on this flirty ode to a night that turns into morning. “Let’s just kiss goodbye all night,” He sings with a swagger that convinces the listener he isn’t often turned down. “And kiss a little more in the morning.”


Milligan shows his softer side on “She,” a sparse yet beautiful song about one special woman. “She walks in a room // And turns every head on a dime // She’d be something to lose // She’s nothing like you’ll ever find // She’s so beautifully beautiful as can be // And I can’t believe that she’s mine,” he croons. “Oh I wish that she // Could see what I see.”

The EP ends with “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” a driving up-tempo about the lengths a man will go when he’s in love. While Milligan is a true storyteller on the slower songs, he also excels on songs like this that allow him to show his fun, young, and quick-singing side.


On his debut EP, Drake Milligan perfectly introduces himself to the country music world in a way that’s unique and different. He proves that you don’t have to be old to embrace tradition, managing to put a modern spin on the genre that’s sure to endear him to listeners of every age.



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