Willie Jones: The Message

Country singer Willie Jones’ profile seemed to explode following the release of 2021’s Right Now, a project that certified him as a young superstar. Though he’s released music a little more sporadically in the time since—see his “Redemption Song” cover from Apple Music’s Freedom Songs collection for a clear highlight—the singer says his newest music is sure to give fans what they’ve been missing. “I’m just bringing y’all into my world,” Jones told Ebro during the latest episode of The Message. “All my music comes from soul. A lot of it is real true events. And it’s really just my journey over the last year. I got some singles coming out over the course of the next few months, some vibes on the way, but we definitely pushing the envelope with sounds.” With regard to Jones’ The Message playlist specifically—a set that features selections from Drake, The Floaters, Migos, Kacey Musgraves and Calvin Harris, to name a few—the singer says he wanted to compile the songs that have helped him push forward through tougher times. “This playlist definitely has a lot of uplifting songs,” Jones says. “And a lot of these are songs that I personally go to in times of just wanting a pick-me-up—some sounds that just affirm, ‘Just don’t let go. Keep going.’”