As fans of both artists and songwriters, here at The Shotgun Seat we love to hear a great track – no matter what form. On that note, it’s especially exciting to hear a songwriter’s uncut demo containing so much hit potential. Uploaded a few weeks ago on Luke Laird’s SoundCloud, “Renegade” is just begging to be cut by one of country’s female powerhouses.
The track, penned by Laird, Creative Nation signee Barry Dean (“Pontoon”) and Miranda Lambert co-writer Natalie Hemby, is a brilliant fusion of new and old country. The tale of falling in love with a mysterious bad boy has been told through and through, but the production has a modern feel – a rhythmic, hip hop-esque drumbeat that sounds 100% more authentic than whatever Aldean was trying on his latest single.
The songwriters of “Renegade” are some of Nashville’s top talent so it’s no surprise the track is a hit in the making, but what should be highlighted here are the unique, half-spoken verses. Slow and sultry – “Renegade” would be the perfect fit for an artist like Kacey Musgraves, or even Miranda Lambert (judging by the songwriters this could have very well been written in a Lambert writing session). Even better, we hope the track gets cut and lands in the lap of a female newcomer who can take it right to the top of the charts.