There are still so many talented and high quality music acts in Nashville, which I haven’t been aware of so far. I happened to run into CJ Solar and his third EP, Coming My Way, by a tweet of a British country music website. I dared a listen and felt it is just music I want to share with you. The EP has been released on 1st May 2020.
CJ Solar – About The Artist
Curtis Justin Solar was born on 26th September 1992 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is mixing country music and Southern Rock with grunge elments, being influenced by bands like Lynyrd Slynyrd, but also Nirvana or Soundgarden. He started playing the guitar at the age of eight years old and soon thereafter formed his initial band with his brothers. After high school, Solar moved to Nashville and graduated at Belmont University in songwriting. An intern job, where he was asked about his own music, gave him his initial record deal and he published his debut EP Hard One To Turn Down in 2016. The most successful track out of this EP was Tall Boy. After that EP and the 2018 Get Away With It, Coming My Way is the third EP by Solar, who is also quite successful in songwriting.
CJ Solar – Coming My Way – Track by Track
The six track EP has a playtime of 19 minutes.
1. Coming My Way
The title track sets a certain direction: a bit dark sounding, powerful Southern-style country rock. You may stomp your boots to it – but a slight headbangin’ might even be not too wrong as well. Good one!
2. Better Memory
Better Memory is a bit more on the softer side compared to the title track. This leads to a very clear and well-produced song, which could even be a track of one of the big Nashville names.
3. Wild Hair
Wild Hair is wild – I feel this touch of grunge in this song, for example. This song is very energetic and rhythmic – and again, the guitars get their parts as well. Cool!
4. Rain
The fourth track on the album starts a bit on the slow side, but then gains quite some power in the chorus. Again, great example for CJ Solar’s energetic songwriting.
5. She’ll Run
This could be a Luke Bryan one, couldn’t it? She’ll run is just such a clear and well-done powerful country track, which – I believe – is just perfect for the stage at a summer country music festival. We might have to wait until 2021 to enjoy this with CJ Solar, but this track already makes me feel looking forward to it.
6. Watered Down Whiskey
The final track, Watered Down Whiskey feels a bit similar to some of the songs before. Nonetheless, this one is just one of my favorites on the album.
CJ Solar – Coming My Way – Spotify
Here is the Spotify preview to the Coming My Way EP:
CJ Solar – Coming My Way – My View
Coming My Way is definitely a nice proof of CJ Solar’s songwriting and performing skills. Some tunes are close to the top division of country rock / Southern Rock. Unfortunately, some tracks feel a bit too much the same. Still, you got a nice, powerful six track compilation if you buy or download this EP.
US-American Media Reviews
Here are all other music and other media reviews about bands originated in the USA:

Dustin Lynch – Killed The Cowboy

Soccer Mommy – Karaoke Night EP

Brent Cobb – Southern Star

Thirty Seconds To Mars – It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day

Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses

Low Cut Connie – Art Dealers

Durry – Suburban Legend

Coffey Anderson – Tailgates and Heartbreaks

Alice Cooper – Road

Morgan Wade – Psychopath

Turnpike Troubadours – A Cat In The Rain

Tim McGraw – Standing Room Only

Bobby Rush – All My Love For You

Atreyu – The Moment You Find Your Flame EP

William Fitzsimmons – Covers Vol. II

Daniel Seavey – Dancing In The Dark EP

Ryan Bingham – Watch Out For The Wolf EP

Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II

Kool & the Gang – People Just Wanna Have Fun

Justine Blazer – Joy!

Joe Lasher – Vol. 1 EP

Somnuri – Desiderium

Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway – City of Gold

Lori McKenna – 1988

Michael Bolton – Spark of Light

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Sticks and Stones

Sean Patrick McGraw – Hillbilly Hippie

1476 – In Exile

Lucinda Williams – Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart

Ayron Jones – Chronicles Of The Kid

Hannah Aldridge – Dream of America

Son Volt – Day of the Doug

Steve Lukather – Bridges

Deer Tick – Emotional Contracts

Extreme – Six

Ray Alder – II

Brittany Warthan – No Vacancy

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – What If I EP

Ron Pope – Inside Voices

Oryad – Sacred & Profane

Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton – Death Wish Blues

Brandy Clark – Brandy Clark

Daisy Briggs – Nice Knowing You EP

Parker Millsap – Wilderness Within You

Belinda Carlisle – Kismet EP

Rodney Crowell – The Chicago Sessions

Enforced – War Remains

Dave Hause – Drive It Like It’s Stolen

Esther Rose – Safe To Run

Texas Hippie Coalition – The Name Lives On

Dirty Heads – Midnight Control Sessions: Night 2 EP

The Wood Brothers – Heart is the Hero

Jennifer K. Austin – Cards EP

Welshly Arms – Wasted Words & Bad Decisions

Overcoats – Winner

The Hold Steady – The Price of Progress

Sophie B. Hawkins – Free Myself

Night Demon – Outsider

Stephen Jay – understatement

Timesbold – Not Still Here

John Diva & The Rockets of Love – The Big Easy

Ripe – Bright Blues

The Nude Party – Rides On

Manchester Orchestra – The Valley of Vision EP

Brian Falduto – Gay Country

Suicide Silence – Remember… You Must Die

Drayton Farley- Twenty on High

Steel Panther – On The Prowl

Dierks Bentley – Gravel & Gold

Lucero – Should’ve Learned by Now

Jaimee Harris – Boomerang Town

P!nk – Trustfall

Tennis – Pollen

Cort Carpenter – All In

Chase Rice – I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell

Ian Fisher – Burnt Tongue

Joe Henry – All The Eye Can See

Richard Lynch – Radio Friend

Black Star Riders – Wrong Side of Paradise

Margo Price – Strays

Iggy Pop – Every Loser

Anti-Flag – Lies They Tell Our Children

Gabbie Hanna – This Time Next Year

Adam Warner – What We’re Known For

Upsahl – Sagittarius EP

Myle – Sad Boy Summer EP

Melissa Carper – Ramblin’ Soul

Billy Strings – Me/And/Dad

L.S. Dunes – Past Lives

Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver (Various Artists)

Seth Avett – Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown

Stephanie Quayle – On The Edge

The Moon City Masters – The Famous Moon City Masters

Tiffany Johnson – Over Emotional EP

Emily Nenni – On The Ranch

Russell Dickerson – Russell Dickerson

Trampled by Turtles – Alpenglow

Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country

The Backseat Lovers – Waiting To Spill

Kenny Foster – Somewhere in Middle America

Debbie Gibson – Winterlicious

Taylor Swift – Midnights

Alex Williams – Waging Peace

Alter Bridge – Pawns And Kings

Logan Mize – Prairie Tapes, Vol. 1 EP

Callista Clark – Real To Me: The Way I Feel

Backstreet Boys – A Very Backstreet Christmas

Avery Anna – Mood Swings EP

Slipknot – The End, So Far

Ashley McBryde – Lindeville

Richard Marx – Songwriter

Dr. John – Things Happen That Way

Sunny Sweeney – Married Alone

Kelsea Ballerini – Subject To Change

Nikki Lane – Denim & Diamonds

Starcrawler – She Said

LeAnn Rimes – God’s Work

The Afghan Whigs – How Do You Burn?

Kane Brown – Different Man

I Am – Eternal Steel

Charley Crockett – The Man From Waco

Jon Pardi – Mr. Saturday Night

Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying… and The Dead!

Ingrid Andress – Good Person

Bandaid Brigade – Sex is Terrifying

David Paich – Forgotten Toys

Watkins Family Hour – Vol. 2

Jeremy Black – Part of Me EP

Kelsey Waldon – No Regular Dog

Wade Bowen – Somewhere Between The Secret and The Truth

Lauv – All 4 Nothing

Amanda Shires – Take It Like A Man

Brooke Eden – Choosing You EP

Whiskey Myers – Tornillo

She & Him – Melt Away: A Tribute To Brian Wilson

Dawes – Misadventures Of Doomscroller

Kaylee Rose – Hot Minute EP

Confirmation – Survive EP

The Local Honeys – The Local Honeys

Kimberly Kelly – I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen

Journey – Freedom

Jonny Houlihan – Coffee and Jesus

Grey Daze – The Phoenix

Kylie Morgan – P.S. EP

G. Love & Special Sauce – Philadelphia Mississippi

Luke Combs – Growin’ Up

Rachel LaRen – Cowboys Don’t Change EP

Hank Williams Jr. – Rich White Honky Blues

Brett Eldredge – Songs About You

Motionless In White – Scoring The End Of The World

Carrie Underwood – Denim & Rhinestones

Kyle Daniel – Following the Rain

Jillian Jacqueline – Honestly

Craig Finn – A Legacy Of Rentals

Avi Kaplan – Floating On A Dream

mxmtoon – rising

49 Winchester – Fortune Favors The Bold

Aaron Raitiere – Single Wide Dreamer

Midland – The Last Resort: Greetings From

Dana Fuchs – Borrowed Time

Stephen Jay – Vita Beata

Charley Crockett – Lil’ G.L. Presents: Jukebox Charley

Old Crow Medicine Show – Paint This Town

Joshua Hedley – Neon Blue

Sophia Bel – Anxious Avoidant

Cole Swindell – Stereotype

Caitlyn Smith – High

Papa Roach – Ego Trip

Joe Satriani – The Elephants of Mars

Jon Spencer & The HITmakers – Spencer Gets It Lit

Paul Cauthen – Country Coming Down

Ian Noe – River Fools & Mountain Saints

Maren Morris – Humble Quest

Tiffany Woys – All About Love EP

Doug Adkins – A Cowboys’ Life

Sunrunner – Sacred Arts of Navigation

Dolly Parton – Run, Rose, Run

Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs – External Combustion

Crowbar – Zero and Below

The Dip – Sticking With It

Lo Moon – Modern Life

Bernard Allison – Highs & Lows

Corey Taylor – CMFB… Sides EP

Curtis Stigers – This Life

Shovels & Rope – Manticore

Matt Pike – Pike vs the Automaton

Michael Lane – Take It Slow

Sarah Shook & The Disarmers – Nightroamer

Goodbye June – See Where The Night Goes

Urge Overkill – Oui

Once Human – Scar Weaver

Boulevards – Electric Cowboy: Born in Carolina Mud

Amos Lee – Dreamland

Priscilla Block – Welcome To The Block Party

Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – 4

Dustin Lynch – Blue In The Sky

Jeffrey Mitchell Ross – Waited A Long Time

Erin Rae – Lighten Up

Marissa Nadler – The Wrath Of The Clouds EP

Muscadine Bloodline – Dispatch to 16th Ave.

North Mississippi Allstars – Set Sail

Brent Cobb – And Now, Let’s Turn The Page

Katie Henry – On My Way

Greensky Bluegrass – Stress Dreams

Keb’ Mo’ – Good To Be …

Great American Ghost – Torture World EP

Conner Smith – Didn’t Go Too Far EP

Noah Guthrie – Blue Wall

Skillet – Dominion

Jamestown Revival – Young Man

Jacob Bryant – Bar Stool Preacher

Ryan Montgomery – Chasing Sunsets EP

Rachel Bradshaw – Rachel Bradshaw EP

Matt Moeller – Where We Used To Be EP

Carolyn Miller – Thank You EP

Tom Morello – The Atlas Underground Flood

Nick Walker – It’s All South From Here EP

X: THC – Fall Down Seven Times, Rise Up Eight

Lucinda Williams – Have Yourself A Rockin’ Little Christmas (Lu’s Jukebox Vol. 5)

Wade Bowen – Where Phones Don’t Work EP

Armanda Shires – For Christmas

Gov’t Mule – Heavy Load Blues

Michael Patrick Kelly – B.O.A.T.S

Jason Aldean – Macon

Steve Perry – The Season

Houndmouth – Good For You

Emily Scott Robinson – American Siren

Brett Eldredge – Mr. Christmas

Dave Hause – Blood Harmony

SixForty1 – Started Right Here EP

Alcatrazz – V

Ryan Hurd – Pelago

Cassadee Pope – Thrive

Tom Morello – The Atlas Underground Fire

Toby Keith – Peso In My Pocket

Noah Gundersen – A Pillar of Salt

Josh Turner – King Size Manger

Creeping Death – The Edge of Existence EP

Crystal Leigh – Trading Skylines EP

The Record Company – Play Loud

Strand Of Oaks – In Heaven

Logan Mize – Welcome To Prairieville

Angels & Airwaves – Lifeforms

Billy Strings – Renewal

Nox Holloway – If Only The World Didn’t Spin So Much EP

Taylor McCall – Black Powder Soul

Charley Crockett – Music City USA

Heartless Bastards – A Beautiful Life

Kacey Musgraves – Star-Crossed

Samantha Fish – Faster

Mitchell Tenpenny – Midtown Diaries EP

Riddy Arman – Riddy Arman

Liz Cooper – Hot Sass

Ashland Craft – Travelin’ Kind

David Hasselhoff – Party Your Hasselhoff

Echo Bloom – Wake

King Calaway – Midnight EP

Ashley Cooke – Already Drank That Beer Side A

The Bronx – Bronx VI

All Good Things – A Hope In Hell

Shannon And The Clams – Year Of The Spider

Martha Wainwright – Love Will Be Reborn

Kool & The Gang – Perfect Union

James McMurtry – The Horses And The Hounds

Watchhouse – Watchhouse

Dan + Shay – Good Things

The Killers – Pressure Machine

Paul Thorn – Never Too Late To Call

Willy Mason – Already Dead

Chris Young – Famous Friends

Laci Kaye Booth – Laci Kaye Booth

Leah Blevins – First Time Feeling

Torres – Thirstier

Jim Lauderdale – Hope

Grizfolk – Grizfolk

Son Volt – Electro Melodier

Ryan Kinder – Room To Dream

Prince – Welcome 2 America

Clay Walker – Texas To Tennessee

Los Lobos – Native Sons

Joshua Radin – The Ghost and The Wall

Molly Burch – Romantic Images

Rodney Crowell – Triage

Charlie Worsham – Sugarcane EP

Charli Adams – Bullseye

Midland – The Last Resort EP

Lucinda Williams – Lu’s Jukebox Vol. 2 – Southern Soul: From Memphis To Muscle Shoals

Callie Twisselman – Closure EP

The Flatlanders – Treasure Of Love

Lauren Jenkins – Miles On Me, Part 1 EP

The Wallflowers – Exit Wounds

Riley Green – Behind The Bar EP

Brent Moyer – Song Rider

William Fitzsimmons – Ready The Astronaut

Vincent Neil Emerson – Vincent Neil Emerson

Gary Allan – Ruthless

Toto – With A Little Help From My Friends

Buckcherry – Hellbound

Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange

Maroon 5 – Jordi

Kylie Morgan – Love, Kylie EP

Joe Bonamassa – Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman

Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real – A Few Stars Apart

Walker Hayes – Country Stuff EP

Gary Louris – Jump For Joy

Brett Young – Weekends Look A Little Different These Days

Andrew Jannakos – Gone Too Soon EP

Brynn Cartelli – Based On A True Story EP

Southerland – Boot Up EP

Lori Rayne – 1926 EP

Blackberry Smoke – You Hear Georgia

John Hiatt With The Jerry Douglas Band – Leftover Feelings

Jordan Davis – Buy Dirt EP

Pop Evil – Versatile

Blake Shelton – Body Laguage

Oliver Wood – Always Smilin’

Jesse Keith Whitley – Breakin’ Ground

Myles Kennedy – The Ides of March

Dillon Carmichael – Hot Beer EP

Alan Jackson – Where Have You Gone

Levara – Levara

The Steel Woods – All Of Your Stones

Weezer – Van Weezer

Travis Tritt – Set In Stone

Mighty Oaks – Mexico

Matt Castillo – How The River Flows EP

Stef – A Glitch in our Virtual Reality EP

Thomas Rhett – Country Again: Side A

Priscilla Block – Priscilla Block EP

Ronnie Milsap – A Better Word For Love

Ashley Monroe – Rosegold

Todd Snider – First Agnostic Church of Hope And Wonder

Elvie Shane – County Roads EP

Adam Douglas – Better Angels

Justin Moore – Straight Outta The Country

Vanessa Peters – Modern Age

Carver Louis – Take Off EP

Eric Church – Soul

The Offspring – Let The Bad Times Roll

Eric Church – &

Eric Church – Heart

Fancy Hagood – Southern Curiosity

Skullcrusher – Storm in Summer EP

Parker Millsap – Be Here Instead

Cheap Trick – In Another World

Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Dance Songs For The Hard Times

Canaan Smith – High Country Sound

Leslie Jordan – Company’s Comin’

Tyler Braden – What Do They Know EP

Adrian Smith & Richie Kotzen – Smith / Kotzen

Carrie Underwood – My Savior

Esther Rose – How Many Times

Evanescence – The Bitter Truth

The L.A. Maybe – Dirty Damn Tricks

Sara Watkins – Under The Pepper Tree

Midland – The Sonic Ranch

Maite Kelly – Hello!

Loretta Lynn – Still Woman Enough

Morgan Wade – Reckless

Frances Luke Accord – Sunnyside EP

Blackmore’s Night – Nature’s Light

Joey Hendricks – Between The Clouds EP

Israel Nash – Topaz

The Paper Kites – Roses

A Day To Remember – You’re Welcome

Alyssa Trahan – Baby Blues & Stilettos

Ron Gallo – Peacemeal

Jimbo Mathus & Andrew Bird – These 13

Track 45 – Big Dreams EP

Adam Warner – Big Storm

Hayden Joseph – Different

Willie Nelson – That’s Life

Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories

Bones Owens – Bones Owens

Ally Venable – Heart Of Fire

Ben Rice – Future Pretend

Cassadra Jenkins – An Overview On Phenomenal Nature EP

Adam Hambrick – The Flipsides EP

Damon Johnson & The Get Ready – Battle Lessons

Carly Pearce – 29 EP

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – Hunter And The Dog Star

Lainey Wilson – Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’

Haley Mae Campbell – Growing Up EP

Tobacco Rd Band – Worth Fighting For

Florida Georgia Line – Life Rolls On

Pentatonix – The Lucky Ones

Colton Chapman – Can’t Hide The Truth EP

Alex Hall – Six Strings EP

Aaron Lee Tasjan – Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!

Accept – Too Mean To Die

Daniel Holmes – Dead End Town

Lucero – When You Found Me

Jake Hoot – Love Out Of Time EP

Langhorne Slim – Strawberry Mansion

Logan Mize – Still That Kid

Matt Wynn – Matt Wynn EP

Jimmy Weber – Black & Blue Heart

Willie Jones – Right Now

John Diva & The Rockets Of Love – American Amadeus

Devin Dawson – The Pink Slip EP

Whitney Duncan – Heartbreaker EP

Morgan Wallen – Dangerous – The Double Album

Colby Keeling – Catch Me If You Can EP

Aaron Watson – American Soul

Understanding Train Station – A Podcast on Living Abroad and Cultural Differences

Bella Lambert – Memories EP

Tanner Sparks – Living A Nightmare

Steve Earle & The Dukes – J.T.

Bret Mullins – Kiss The Girl

Taylor Swift – evermore

Cody Weaver – Southern Noise EP

Gone Is Gone – If Everything Happens For A Reason… Then Nothing Really Matters At All

Russell Dickerson – Southern Symphony

Jennifer K. Austin – Journey

Brian Callihan – Brian Callihan

Granger Smith – Country Things, Vol. 2

Miley Cyrus – Plastic Hearts

Clutch – Weathermaker Vault Series Vol. I

Garth Brooks – Fun

Larkin Poe – Kindred Spirits

Ward Davis – Black Cats and Crows

Lee Brice – Hey World

Shenandoah – Every Road

Kameron Marlowe – EP

Chris Stapleton – Starting Over

Easton Corbin – Didn’t Miss A Beat EP

Jojo – December Baby

Meghan Trainor – A Very Trainor Christmas

Joe Bonamassa – Royal Tea

Charlotte Ave – Women of Country

The Cadillac Three – Tabasco and Sweet Tea

The Boxmasters – Light Rays

Runaway June – When I Think About Christmas

Matt Stell – Better Than That EP

Trace Adkins – Ain’t That Kind Of Cowboy EP

Low Cut Connie – Private Lives

Patty Smyth – It’s About Time

Austin Michael – Austin Michael

Brothers Osborne – Skeletons

Darlingside – Fish Pond Fish

Drew Haley – Wildflower EP

Jordan Brooker – The Young Troubadour’s Almanac

mxmtoon – dusk EP

Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi 2020

Dolly Parton – A Holly Dolly Christmas

Dawes – Good Luck With Whatever

The Nude Party – Midnight Manor

Brent Cobb – Keep ’em on They Toes

Carrie Underwood – My Gift

Diana DeMuth – Misadventure

Granger Smith – Country Things, Vol. 1

Smith & Wesley – Greetings From The Land of Y’All

Ava Max – Heaven and Hell

Joan Osborne – Trouble and Strife

Ace Frehley – Origins Vol. 2

Elizabeth Cook – Aftermath

Mickey Guyton – Bridges EP

Delta Spirit – What is There

Hardy – A Rock

Lauren Alaina – Getting Over Him EP

Tennessee Jet – The Country

Katy Perry – Smile

The Tuten Brothers – Radio Plays EP

Ryan Griffin – Name On It EP

Tiffany Johnson – Tiffany Johnson EP

Molly Tuttle – … but I’d rather be with you

Ruston Kelly – Shape & Destroy

Courtney Cole – Earthquake EP

The Killers – Imploding The Mirage

Tucker Beathard – King

Kree Harrison – Chosen Family Tree

Josh Turner – Country State of Mind

Tim McGraw – Here on Earth

Caylee Hammack – If It Wasn’t For You

Mo Pitney – Ain’t Lookin’ Back

Eric Paslay – Nice Guy

RaeLynn – Baytown EP

Jim “Kimo” West – More Guitar Stories

Mary Chapin Carpenter – The Dirt and The Stars

Carly and Martina – Are You Listening?

Cassadee Pope – Rise and Shine

Luke Bryan – Born Here, Live Here, Die Here

Charley Crockett – Welcome To Hard Times

Chris Tomlin – Chris Tomlin & Friends

Rascal Flatts – How They Remember You EP

Canaan Cox – Stilettos EP

Taylor Swift – folklore

Kansas – The Absence of Presence

Dixie Chicks / The Chicks – Gaslighter

Lakeview – She Drove Me To The Bar EP

Jimmie Allen – Bettie James EP

Donna Missal – Lighter

Brett Eldredge – Sunday Drive

Jonny Houlihan – Hey Girl EP

Willie Nelson – First Rose of Spring

Eric Paslay – Heartbeat Higher EP

Haim – Women in Music Pt. III

Kyle Nix – Lightning On The Mountain & Other Little Stories

John Legend – Bigger Love

Bob Dylan – Rough and Rowdy Ways

Gabby Barrett – Goldmine

Gone West – Canyons

Dion – Blues With Friends

Tyler Farr – Only Truck in Town EP

Nicole Atkins – Italian Ice
