MATT OAKLEY - Party on 95 - C2 Records

What started in 2022 with “Dive Bar” has continually seen country music upstart Matt Oakley diligently crafting his unique qualities from song-to-song, elevating his signature characteristics while fine tuning the edges to brand a strong picture of who he is as an artist, vocalist, and songwriter.

In the grip of an already very solid year that’s seen him taking huge strides forward with earned high praise from CMT and Spotify and on several well-received singles, “Can’t Take The Dogs,” “Single This Summer” and “Soldier’s Son,” Oakley looks to now be closing out the year with what is most likely his final release of 2024, “Party on 95.” 

“‘Party on 95’ is exactly what it sounds like," explains Oakley. "A road trip anthem I wrote about all the times me and my buddies packed up the truck to hit Florida for spring break. The song is about not waiting until you get to your location to start the party. Turn on your favorite songs and roll the windows down, it’s a party on Interstate 95.”

With an additive, sway your arms in the summertime air feel to the flow of the melody from its onset, Matt immediately begins painting the road trip picture while instantly transporting the listener to the fondest days of their youth and the times that they’d road trip with their best friends in tow, cranking their favorite music while carefree soaking in the moment before life got in the way.

Through what feels like a photo album filled with Polaroid snapshots, Oakley allows us to jump in the truck with he and his friends as they make their way to Panama City Beach, travelling to destination oceanside while living large in the mundane moments of any given road trip with an exuberant exhilaration that celebrates their eventual Florida stop; getting gas, filling back up the cooler, etc.

He strikes the chorus with a sing-along quality that allows the listener to temporarily escape their state of reminiscing and to raise one up to the good times of not only what has become the memories of their past, but to also embrace the moment happening in the right here, right now.

“These old tires are made for rolling

So we gonna roll em on tonight

Headed on a drive it like he stole it, keep on going

We gonna drive until we see those exit signs

It’s a party on 95

Threw a party on 95”

The end of the year presents very interesting timing for a song release that carries this type of feel. As the colder weather months are quickly approaching, country music tends to depart from the summer kissed vibes and give us something that’s  generally more subdued.

However, this could also become the exact reason that intrigue will be heightened for this release. It’s fresh deviation from the norm could earn Oakley substantial movement at radio as he caps off his year with a bold exclamation point that sets in motion things to come in 2025.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)