New Music Monday: New Hard-Hitting Rock and Roots Voices Power The Countdown

Fresh entries from grit-rockers Dirty Honey, roots standout Sierra Ferrell, Slash, Dexter and The Moonrocks, and legendary rockers The Rolling Stones

As mid-October rolls in, the opening segment of The Countdown receives a massive jolt of electric energy and soulful storytelling. Ranging from the dangerous, high-octane riffage of modern hard rockers and country-punk hybrids to timeless classic rock pedigree and heartfelt roots acousticism, this week's new entries are packed with power. With heavy-hitting collaborations, gritty stadium riffs, and raw emotional vulnerability, these five tracks demonstrate that the bottom of the board is just as stacked as the top.

Dirty Honey – "Lights Out"

Kickstarting this week’s countdown is "Lights Out" the fiery lead single from Los Angeles hard-rock trailblazers Dirty Honey. Serving as the primary taste of their third studio album Catch My Butterfly, the track channels raw, swaggering blues-rock intensity through guitarist John Notto’s scorching fretwork and Marc LaBelle’s commanding vocal delivery. Produced by John Feldmann, "Lights Out" captures a dangerous, high-energy groove built for modern rock arenas, proving why the band continues to lead the charge for traditional rock revivalism.

Sierra Ferrell – "Pair Of Dice"

"Pair Of Dice," a beautifully evocative single from acclaimed roots and Americana singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell. Anchored by her signature vocal agility and rich acoustic arrangements, the track explores themes of faith, surrender, and the high-stakes gamble of life and love. Balancing haunting sadness with an uplifting undercurrent of hope, Ferrell’s masterful lyricism and timeless country-folk delivery make "Pair Of Dice" a standout moment of quiet power on this week's chart.

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – "Flying Blind"

"Flying Blind," the soaring title track and lead single from Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators ahead of their fifth studio album. The song pairs Slash's signature melodic lead guitar hooks and lightning-fast solos with Kennedy’s towering, instantly recognizable vocal range. Driven by a tight, driving rhythm section, "Flying Blind" delivers an exhilarating masterclass in contemporary hard rock that keeps the long-running supergroup's chemistry burning bright.

Dexter and The Moonrocks ft. Avery Anna – "Why Don’t You Say So"

"Why Don’t You Say So," an emotionally charged collaboration between Southern alt-rock outfit Dexter and The Moonrocks and rising country artist Avery Anna. Sourced from the band's album Friends That I Don't Like, the track captures the agonizing frustration of a failing relationship through a compelling dual-vocal dynamic. Blending gritty "space-cowboy" rock textures with raw country vulnerability, the song builds a tense, captivating narrative about demanding brutal honesty over painful silence.

The Rolling Stones – "Bad Luck Highway"

Rounding out the week’s new entries is "Bad Luck Highway," a punchy single from rock 'n' roll icons The Rolling Stones. Built upon Keith Richards' signature open-tuned riffing and Mick Jagger's effortless, blues-infused bravado, the track delivers a swaggering, classic Stones groove that feels both nostalgic and vital. Proving that six decades into their career they can still command airwaves, the rock legends inject pure, unadulterated energy into the top 20.

That concludes this week's New Music Monday recap. Between the blues-rock thunder of Dirty Honey and Slash, the roots artistry of Sierra Ferrell, the emotional grit of Dexter and The Moonrocks, and the legendary swagger of The Rolling Stones, the bottom end of the chart is brimming with talent.

Keep your radio locked to 88.7 FM The Bay to see how these tracks fare as the week progresses.

Sources

• Blabbermouth
• Medicine Box Magazine
• AZLyrics
• Gibson Records