Neon and Longing: Joey Myron’s Haunting New Single “Best Western” Blurs Grit and Glamour
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Genre-bending artist Joey Myron continues to forge a distinctive, shadowed path in modern country and pop with his haunting new single, “Best Western.” Out now, the track is a masterclass in mood, anchored by smoky, hypnotic vocals and moody guitars that blur the line between alt-country grit and pop glamour. It solidifies Myron as one of Nashville’s most intriguing new voices—a fearless storyteller unafraid to explore the darker corners of magnetic, destructive romance.
The Artist: Joey Myron’s Outlier Sound
Joey Myron is a genuine musical outlier whose background is as diverse as his sound. An accomplished classical pianist from the age of seven, Myron’s formal training culminated in him being accepted into the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.
After graduation, he launched his career in Los Angeles, achieving immediate success collaborating with top producers, including leading DJ/producer Mickey Valen on his breakout hit, “Chills.” That single has amassed over 100 million collective streams to date, demonstrating Myron’s early knack for cross-genre appeal.
However, Nashville called, drawing him to its deep, rich history of country music. Myron’s influences reflect his eclectic journey, ranging from the baritone gravitas of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings to the jazz melancholy of Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra, all fused with the modern atmospheric textures of The Weeknd and Post Malone. This unique blend has positioned him as a creator of a new, genre-bending Urban Cowboy sound.
Myron recently teased this new direction with the release of the alternative country tune “Hoe Down,” and fans of his L.A. success will soon hear the “countryfied” version of his hit “Chills”—a testament to his seamless transition into the Nashville scene.
The Track: A Magnetic, Destructive Rendezvous
“Best Western” finds Myron teaming up once again with James Shelley and Michel Heyaca of the duo Lucky Dog, who co-wrote and produced the track. Shelley and Heyaca, who praised Myron’s quick musicianship and Johnny Cash-like baritone, deliver a production that is both expansive and claustrophobic, perfectly matching the song’s themes.
Myron describes the track as an “alt-country/pop sonic blend about a sneaky rendezvous at a hotel.” The song tells the story of an intense love that is undeniably toxic, yet impossible to resist—the kind of magnetic connection you chase even knowing it will ultimately break you.
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Moody Atmosphere: The production hinges on moody guitars and a punchy, wild-western vibe that evokes a cinematic, almost noir, setting. The expansive sonic backdrop contrasts sharply with the intimacy of the hotel room rendezvous, creating a tension that drives the song forward.
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Hypnotic Vocals: Myron’s smoky, baritone vocals are the anchoring element. His delivery is equal parts desperate and intoxicating, capturing the complexity of a love that is both a mistake and a necessity.
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Lyrical Hook: The chorus is the intoxicating core of the song, designed to linger like the glow of a vacancy sign: “Let’s go and hit the Best Western / Slip under the covers forever.” This simple, evocative image of a fleeting moment of clandestine eternity is powerful and relatable.
Following the flirty, feel-good anthem “Smile” released in the summer, “Best Western” shows Myron’s ability to dive into the shadows of modern romance, cementing his status as a distinctive and fearless storyteller.
Conclusion: A Genre-Challenging Success
Joey Myron’s “Best Western” is a compelling blend of sounds and styles that successfully challenges the boundaries of genre and storytelling, just as the artist intended. It is a cinematic, unfiltered, and moody piece of music that taps into the universal magnetism of forbidden passion. With his unique voice, diverse musical background, and willingness to explore the shadows, Joey Myron is quickly defining what it means to be a modern country-pop outlier.