This feature is a joint effort from us with Lorraine (our country girl) doing the reviews and Mark seeing to the interview and writing up! We have been very busy this January bringing pieces to you in what is (usually) a quiet month, but so much great music has been released already in 2026!
This feature relates to Nashville based Chandler Marie who has just released the first of her 2026 singles, “Like A Man” which comes from her upcoming album, and is an early indication of what awaits. We will start with sharing some of the press release with you:
“The new single came out on January 16, so it is out on all platforms now. “Like A Man,” a female-empowerment country breakup anthem and the lead single from her upcoming debut album. The track is a twangy, confident, feel-good release that flips the narrative, calling out emotional immaturity while encouraging women to reclaim confidence and closure in relationships that fall short of what they deserve.
The song’s unique blend of 90s and modern country make it attractive to the listener who enjoys both styles. The track is built on dobro, driving guitars, and an infectious groove, blending humor, edge, and empowerment.
Chandler Marie has earned every inch of her career the hard way. Raised in a small Georgia town, she grew up surrounded by music. Chandler started writing and playing guitar early, first learning a few chords from her dad, and was drawn to honest storytelling and songs that actually say something.
After graduating from the University of Tennessee in 2020, Chandler committed fully to building a music career without shortcuts. For years, that meant midnight Broadway sets, long drives home, early mornings at a day job, and doing it all over again the next day. That work ethic has made her a fixture in the Nashville live scene and a trusted collaborator in writing rooms. Her sound lives in modern country but pulls from pop and Americana influences, shaped by real experiences and delivered with clarity and confidence.”
Leaving the official information behind, we are now reviewing the new single, along with a couple more tracks that we found interesting and think you should have a listen to!
Our review (Lorraine Foley)
Okay, I’m always up for a bit of country and I’ve selected five tracks by Chandler Marie that I want to recommend for a listen, let’s start with the new single.
“Like a Man” – has an easy radio friendly rhythm and style, upbeat and with a built in dance step. I liked the harmony style chorus and the beat was infectious and contained a musical smile. With everything going on in the world right now I believe music should have the ability to take us away from all that, that’s why I like country music, and why I enjoyed this.
“God Bless” that we pick up on in our interview with Chandler has a rock edge and attitude with the country blend. It has a tougher guitar sound and although there are those distinctive country beats and vocal style, it has a feel of those Summer arenas and a crowd rocking out.
“Chase You” is a well constructed track, layered effectively with a smooth country radio beat and a chorus that shouts “what makes you think I’d chase you!” It’s that note to your ex- and to the empty whiskey glass!
“Roommates” with 260k+ listens at the moment on Spotify, telling you how popular Chandler is becoming, changes direction and gives you a different taste of what she can do. This “ghost in the hallway” song is a more reflective track, more of a country ballad. I can see the attraction in the track, things are personal – and I liked “God Bless” more, but this one certainly can cut the mustard too.
“Taking out the Trash” kicks some ass, it actually blends that rock sound back with a bit of funky beat in the music, it is sassy and clever. I would say that this is probably the biggest sound of the five and it packs a punch. If she can produce this in her album she will be more than squeezing that lemon of success!
That concludes my review, and now over to the interview we held with Chandler, and you won’t read it anywhere else!
The press release says: Chandler committed fully to building a music career without shortcuts. For years, that meant midnight Broadway sets, long drives home, early mornings at a day job, and doing it all over again the next day – I’m interested in the mention of Broadway. Do you have a background in musical theatre?
Chandler: I spent almost two years of my music career in the Broadway scene of Nashville, Tennessee (different from Broadway in New York City). Nashville-Broadway is a street filled with musical artists singing throughout the day and night, cover bands, many exciting tourists, and much more.
We notice that you are releasing your debut album this year, but on Spotify it has your debut album as “Just Getting Started” in 2025, can you clarify for us which is right?
Chandler: That is correct! I released a debut EP which is an extended play musical recording. This means it has more songs than a single but not as many songs as a full album. I am thrilled to say, I have many more songs to share in 2026, and am working toward a full-length debut album.
I’ve just played that 2025 EP through and my favourite track was “God Bless” – I love how it kicks off almost on a discord and then hits a rock country sound that is very popular in the UK right now. “If you don’t like this wild hair, take it up with the man upstairs etc.” – I’m watching the brave women in Iran right now out there on the streets demanding the rights to be who they are. Tell us your thoughts about this track please, do you still love it as much as us?
Chandler: “God Bless” came to me when I was sitting with my co-writers, Dana Heaton-Perdue and Janie Waddell, and they asked “what is something that describes your exciting dream to move to Nashville and write music?” My response to their straight forward question was just “God Bless.” This song portrays me to the fullest. I do go to church on Sundays and worship the Lord, but I am still not 100% perfect. The line of the song you mentioned, “If you don’t like this wild hair, you can take it up with the man upstairs,” talks to my natural red hair. Many say that red heads are wild, and the sentiment here is, if you don’t like it, then take it up with the one who made me and that is God himself.
Mentioning the UK country scene, we are experiencing what we see as a New Wave of British Country Music (artists like First Time Flyers, Robyn Red, Taynee Lord, Olivia Lynn) who are infusing roots, storytelling and rock within their country sound. Based in Nashville do you feel you can experiment with your sound, or are you too close to the purists to push boundaries?
Chandler: I have always been firm in my roots of country music, but I do feel like I have widened my boundaries and thrown in a few different genre touches in the recordings of my songs.
Your sound sits in that sweet spot between 90s country grit and modern polish. Growing up, who were the artists that quietly rewired your brain and made you think, yeah, this is how I want to tell stories?
Chandler: There were several artists who inspired me growing up. I listened to a lot of George Strait, Garth Brooks, Sara Evans, Jo Dee Messina, and so many more. I also grew up listening to the rock band Styx and several pop artists. As I stick to my country roots, I try finding ways to incorporate multiple genres in my music while still keeping it close to home.
“Like A Man” – There’s humour in the lyrics, but there’s also a real edge — lines like “put on your big boy britches” don’t pull punches. Is the single indicative of the sound we will encounter in the album ahead?
Chandler: “Like A Man” is just a taste of what is to come. Yes, this song has an edge, but I also have a vulnerable side. I can’t give away too much, but let’s just say I am super pumped for everyone to hear what I’ll be putting out next [Like A Man Co-Writers: Dana Heaton-Perdue, Kylie Sackley, Stone Aielli].
If someone is coming to your music fresh, what is the go to song that you would like them to listen to first, and why?
Chandler: “Chase You” – I fell in love with this song the second it was written, especially with the western intro. and clever hook. We wanted to make sure that we put time and thought into it, so it was written over multiple days and the finished product turned out better than I could imagine. [Co-writers Jonathan McLendon & Quentin Hall]
“Roommates” has 260k + listens on Spotify, well done! I think your new single is more radio friendly (just a personal opinion) – how do you see radio now (In the UK it over relies on legacy plays) as compared to say social media, Tik Tok etc, as gaining that momentum for listens? Or are they all part of a changing landscape? (I mention this because we did the January editorial on how many legacy artists are holding back digital downloads for 3/6 months to try and get physical sales, we argued this was a misjudgment of market demand, link here if you are interested).
Chandler: There are many who say radio is dead. However, I think radio is still very much alive and matters to artists just as much as social media. We are evolving into different ways of sharing music, but I still listen to radio myself, and feel it continues to be an important channel.
Last question – The tour bus breaks down on a lonely road far from the nearest town. It is night time, the weather is savage. One lonely house is there with a light on…strangely no-one is home, but it is warm and has food…tell me the book and film that will help you through the night!
Chandler: This is a tough one. The book that gets me through this night is the Bible. This house might be a little creepy so I’ll be praying my way through this one. For a movie, I am a big fan of comedies. I would definitely watch anything funny to get me through the night in a lonely house. If I had to choose one, the movie “Elf” always gives me a good laugh, even if it’s not Christmas!
Chandler Marie feels like an artist very much on the rise — grounded in country tradition, unafraid to add a little grit, and clearly comfortable in her own skin. “Like A Man” is a confident statement of intent, and if this is the starting gun for her 2026 output, there’s plenty here to get excited about. One to watch, one to put those cowboy boots on for, and one we’ll definitely be checking back in on.
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You can stream music from Chandler Marie here
Artist website here
By Mark C. Chambers
and
Lorraine Foley
