20. August 2025
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Media Review

Sunny Sweeney – Rhinestone Requiem

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Sunny Sweeney - Rhinestone Requiem

Sunny Sweeney - Rhinestone Requiem
4

Rating

 4.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Traditional country with some modern elements
  • Nice variety of songs

Three years after I featured a record by Sunny Sweeney the first time, she is back with a new one. On 1st August 2025, the US-American country lady releases Rhinestone Requiem. Here is my review of her sixth studio album overall.

 

Sunny Sweeney – About The Artist

Sunny Michaela Sweeney was born on 7th December 1976 in Langview in Texas, USA. She initially tried to pursue an acting career in New York City before she moved to Austin, where she also did comedy. She graduated in public relations initially, before turning into a professional artist in 2005. One year later, she released her debut album Heartbreaker’s Hall of Fame. While this one has still been a self-release, her first professional label album, Concrete (2011), made it to the Top 10 of the US Country Charts. The album also included a Top 10 single, From a Table Away. Thereafter, Sweeney released multiple albums. Her most recent one is Married Alone, released in 2022.

 

Sunny Sweeney – Rhinestone Requiem – Track by Track

The ten track album lasts 33 minutes. My Press Package has another track ordering than the press 

1. Find It Where I Can

Sunny Sweeney stands for a rather traditional country music sound. The heartbeat of the opener Find It Where I Can does deliver that musical foundation. However, the groovy song feels more glib, more mainstream than the majority of songs on the predecessor album. Thus, the song finally rather feels like a bridge between country music nostalgia and modern sounds.

2. Diamonds and Divorce Decrees

After the opener, Sweeney presents two tracks, which have already been shared as single releases. Diamonds and Divorce Decrees thereby comes with the lovely blending of traditional country arrangements and rock’n’roll vibes. Im stuck between “I do” and “I’ll never do that again” – the song deals with the struggle around a split-up. I really like it.

3. Traveling On

An intense, but also hurtful and dangerous love affair starts at a Greyhound stop – and leads to Traveling On. The song is a treat for long-time fans of Sunny and is definitely one of the core songs of the release.

4. As Long as There’s a Honky Tonk

The title already suggests a country party track – and that’s what Sweeney is delivering. The song is having fun vibes, but is also rather modern. Not sure whether her fan base likes it, but it is a good one with strong bass and pedal steel sounds.

I got a rambling heart, beating on six strings
Highway life’s not paradise but it’s just right by me
You can’t grow roots rocking and rolling down the road
As long as there’s a honky tonk I’ll always have a home

5. Houston Belongs To Me

That Houston, Houston belongs to me – the fifth song is an homage to the city in Texas. The song is a slower one, which also makes it feel a bit more personal. I feel that this style suits Sweeney very well.

6. Last Hard Bible (feat. Kasey Chambers)

Last Hard Bible starts with Sweeney’s voice only, before the instruments join in. However, at that time the song gains a lot of rhythm and energy. The song feels like the right one to burn the floor on a Western saloon. The special style also has a special reason. For the write as well as the recording, Sweeney joined forces with one of her idols, Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers.

7. Waiting for a Reason to Stay

The rather pedal steel-centric Waiting for a Reason to Stay would have caused emotional moments in a country bar in the 1970’s already. I feel that the slower, very personal style suits the country lady best. Thus, this song makes me smile, even though I rather lean towards modern country music tunes.

Guess you’re a day late and dollar short
Saying things you couldn’t say before
Like I’m somebody you wanna lose
Why didn’t you say it when I needed you to
Now it’s easy to see what I meant to you
Looks like you’re willing to meet me half way
But I finally quit waiting, waiting for a reason to stay

8. Is Tonight the Night (I Make You a Memory)

The eighth song starts slowly, but quickly gains quite some energy and rhythm. The playful instrumental parts create a lot of the catch of this song. If your feet are fast in country boots, this one is made for a nice dance as well.

9. I Drink Well with Others

I Drink Well with Others – this could be the title of a modern 2020’s country track. And indeed, the song is more zesty than the predecessors and feels more modern. The song, however, is also a fun listen in regards of its lyrics.

10. Half Lit in 3/4 Time

I waltzed in here with a memory to kill 
A thirst for forgetting and a half broken will. 
Crank up the sad songs put me out of my mind 
I’m getting half lit in three quarter timed

The record is coming to an end with Half Lit 3/4. Tje song is indeed a slow waltz track, which boosts the emotional level of Rhinestone Requiem at its very end. If you need a country-style waltz in your playlist, that’s the song to go for.

 

Sunny Sweeney – Rhinestone Requiem – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Sunny Sweeney – Rhinestone Requiem – My View

Sunny Sweeny makes advances with modern country music here and there. But overall, Rhinestone Requiem delivers the typical sound of the country artist. It is a good album, but does not strike sufficiently for making it to the top ratings.

Favorite Song: Waiting For A Reason To Stay

 

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