SINGLE REVIEW: ALYSSA FLAHERTY - TEXAS IN JULY

After her appearance at C2C 2026, it has been a little quiet from Alyssa Flaherty who seemed to be dropping singles at a relentless pace beforehand. Her latest single, "Texas In July" marks something of a change in style, it's full of allusions in the verses, some of which probably travel the ocean better than others. Co-written with Michael Whitworth and Joey Hyde who also plays, drums, keyboards, bass & guitars, and sits in the producers chair as well! - he probably also made the tea between takes!

The predominant sound is the fast played acoustic guitar with a gentle tapping beat, there are some additional electric guitar flourishes in the background to provide a little additional atmosphere.

It is undoubtedly Alyssa's phrasing that lifts the words off the page, and makes them punchy as they are delivered.

"You're a dime store pistol being put through its paces

I'm a painted Palomino, running off to the races,

You're a lead heavy silver toed boot on the throttle

I'm a dizzy ballerina, standing round with a bottle

On the tip of my tongue

Yeah we're dancing on a high noon sun"

The "High Noon" reference is once of many littered throughout the lyrics reinforcing the Texas element of the title.

The chorus is one of infatuation, even allowing for the hyperbole of the lyrics, that third line still seems a bit dubious.

"You put your lips on me

Hell, I can barely breathe

I kinda love the way it feels like I could die

I'm burning in your touch, lean in and lock me up

You got me sweating like it's Texas In July"

Alyssa's vocal on the word "July" extends out and mirrors the background wailing guitar, in one of the neater touches on the record.

"You're the sweet in the venom

You're the shake in the rattle

You're the keeper of the key

With my heart in the shackles"

It is Alyssa ramping up the passion and urgency in her delivery that really lifts the next verse

"You're the gold in my Tequila

You're the heat that melts the ice

Your arms are just like embers

Baby keep me warm tonight"

A pedal steel solo, brings the instrument forward from the back of the mix

"Whisper my name - like a finger through white hot flame

On the tip of my tongue,

Yes we're dancing on a high noon sun"

Because she is so talented, it's easy to forget just how early it is in Alyssa's recording career, it feels like her presence and ability is elevating this single to a level it might not otherwise reach had it been performed by a lesser singer. Having said that it is by no means bad, it's more that our expectations for her are stratospheric.