Up-And-Comer Ruari Brownell To Release Debut EP Tomorrow

Iowa native Ruari Brownell will unveil his debut EP ‘Pretty Little Thing’ tomorrow, Friday, November 21. Unable to be defined by just one genre, his music always holds a country undertone, but threads in the grit of rock and the soul of blues, creating a sound that is unmistakably his own. Growing his fan base from the ground up, Brownell stands firmly in his originality.

Having released his very first song only earlier this year, unveiling this new body of work marks a profound stride in his rising musical journey. Featuring five original tracks – each inspired by true stories – ‘Pretty Little Things’ is a collection that wanders through a palette of sounds yet while giving a closer look into who he is.

“Growing up in rural Iowa with hundreds of acres of farmland in my backyard, I always felt connected to country music. It wasn’t only what I was raised on, but the lyrics often hit home with me” shared Brownell. “My musical journey started when I began playing the saxophone at nine years old. I later attended the University of Iowa to major in jazz studies before becoming strongly inspired by rock bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. However, country music has always been front and center, with artists boasting memorable, strong vocals – such as Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs – inspiring me the most. This project really reflects the variety of genres that have influenced me, and I hope that resonates with listeners. It’s a personal project, but one I believe others can dive into just as much as I can.”

Recording many of the tracks on the forthcoming project with Logan Murphy, best known for his work with Treaty Oak Revival, Brownell shares: “We clicked right away. There was never a moment either of us questioned one another’s ideas in a negative way. It never felt like work over the six days we worked together in Nashville.”

Looking to hit the ground running in 2026, the up-and-comer, who recently opened for Craig Morgan, plans to play as many shows as possible and is already looking towards releasing another project. While his name may still be new to many, his drive and unmistakable sound make him an artist well worth watching.

‘Pretty Little Thing’ Tracklist:

1. Devil’s Hallelujah (Ruari Brownell & Logan Murphy)
2. Terrified of Losing You (Ruari Brownell & Carson Parker)
3. If I Was a Betting Man (Ruari Brownell & Richie Mill)
4. Pretty Little Thing (Ruarui Brownell & John Swanger)
5. Window Pane (Ruari Brownell)