Heroes & Hometowns

There are far too few musical projects that pay homage to the sacrifices our men and women in uniform, and up-and-coming Nashville recording artist Ayla Brown is seeking to address this. Fresh off her Opry debut earlier this year, Brown releases her latest album 'Heroes and Hometowns' to digital retailers, spreading the patriotic messages of the seven songs in the collection to an expanded audience on the heels of a physical release last fall. Each song on the New Balance-sponsored project is a standout in its own right, but Brown's world-famous rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the album's first single, "Pride of America" (co-written by Brown, Charlie Hutto and Courtney Dashe), are particular high points. Additionally, Brown makes a special effort to include a tribute to the women of the military with the track "Hero in Her Hometown," a song that was included in her Opry set and is sure to become a standard female anthem thanks to its spirited lyrics ("She's a hero in her hometown / When she walks in a room she draws a crowd / Celebrated, decorated / With medals and pins from the war she was in"). Even though it's nearly a year old, 'Heroes and Hometowns' still feels as fresh and original as the day it debuted, and the collection of tracks is sure to gain the attention of newfound fans.