JOSH ROSS FT.  JULIA MICHAELS - Want This Beer - Universal Music Canada/Mercury Nashville

On the heels of earning a whopping 5 CCMA nominations, including for Entertainer of the Year, Canadian country crossover star Josh Ross unveils his latest release, “Want This Beer.”

Alongside Grammy nominated songwriting sensation, Julia Michaels, the song immediately perks the listener with its airiness through the intro, carrying a different, more pop infused vibe than what we’ve heard from him over his past few releases.

With a simplicity to its backing track, the song then solely relies on the emotional impacts of both vocalists to bring their voices to their rawest edge throughout each of the verses, his natural grit controlling the first as the softer tilts of hers command the second.

Leaning into the typical, means well things that your friends encouragingly say in the aftermath of tough heartbreak as they prod you to grab a cold one with them to help ease your troubled mind and calm the painfulness that continually plays on repeat, Ross tells of how his convinced that a beer (or 10) would make him feel better while Michaels later shares of how hers said a drink would make the memories dissipate.

Coming at the heartbroken hurt from each perspective offers the realization that the two friend groups aren’t really all that different in their efforts to try and help, although it certainly, and very relatable to the heartbroken listener, isn’t doing the trick and is only making it worse with each next sip they take.

Elevating their fractured emotions, the chorus flips the script into what becomes a heartstring tugged truth that confesses how no number of drinks can satisfy the hurt and the war that’s waging inside, both admitting through a perfect blend of their voices that what they really want instead of another drink is what they had:

“I want our stupid fights

I want our kiss all nights

Those hate you, love you tears

I don't even want this beer

No, I ain't gonna lie, can't drink you off my mind

What the hell am I doin' here?

I don't even want this beer (I don't want it)”

Having shown us different flavors on each of his subsequent releases, from “Trouble” to “Ain’t Doin’ Jack” and “Single Again,” “Want This Beer” adds yet another intriguing layer to Josh Ross’ arsenal; a true testament to his ability to bend the unexpected into his overall vibe, flowing a catalog of sonic styles snuggly next to each other while never fully sounding alike from song to song but expertly keeping his unique characteristics at the core.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)