Album: Bonfire by The Shires (2026)
Genre: Country
Record Label: BMG
Format: CD

Description: The band deliver sweet, soaring country songs fuelled by love and connection on their sixth album.

The Shires set the scene early on Bonfire. Its opening track places them, fittingly, next to a crackling bonfire, as they deliver a romantic love song about wanting to sing with someone you also want to hold close. Love, connection and togetherness fuel this album, as on the clapping “Getaway Car” or the sing-along-inviting “Magnetised”, about the feeling of being irresistibly drawn to someone. 

But the UK’s biggest country outfit can dial it down, too. “house of cards”, for example, is a delicate ballad about a fragile relationship, while “Slow Dance” tenderly portrays falling for a friend (“I don’t know if it’s just in my head/It doesn’t feel like we’re just friends”). Then there’s the intimate “Sing You Back”, a desperate wish that music could bring someone back after a loss: “I keep dreaming that tonight I’ll find the perfect melody/To sing you back to me.” 

Four years separates this album from the duo’s fifth studio album, 2022’s 10 Year Plan, during which time The Shires’ Crissie Rhodes became a mother. It’s an experience that perhaps inspired “Blink”, a sweet song about wanting to capture someone, exactly as they are, as time hurries on. “I’m not even gonna blink/Take my eyes off you/Not even for a second,” sings the duo. “Time goes faster than you think.”

Artist Background: Artist from GB, known for country

Related Artists: Ward Thomas, The Wandering Hearts, Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini

Music Scene: Part of the England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Country Pop movement. Known for Country style.

Tags: Country, 2020s, CD, BMG

The band deliver sweet, soaring country songs fuelled by love and connection on their sixth album.

The Shires set the scene early on Bonfire. Its opening track places them, fittingly, next to a crackling bonfire, as they deliver a romantic love song about wanting to sing with someone you also want to hold close. Love, connection and togetherness fuel this album, as on the clapping “Getaway Car” or the sing-along-inviting “Magnetised”, about the feeling of being irresistibly drawn to someone. 

But the UK’s biggest country outfit can dial it down, too. “house of cards”, for example, is a delicate ballad about a fragile relationship, while “Slow Dance” tenderly portrays falling for a friend (“I don’t know if it’s just in my head/It doesn’t feel like we’re just friends”). Then there’s the intimate “Sing You Back”, a desperate wish that music could bring someone back after a loss: “I keep dreaming that tonight I’ll find the perfect melody/To sing you back to me.” 

Four years separates this album from the duo’s fifth studio album, 2022’s 10 Year Plan, during which time The Shires’ Crissie Rhodes became a mother. It’s an experience that perhaps inspired “Blink”, a sweet song about wanting to capture someone, exactly as they are, as time hurries on. “I’m not even gonna blink/Take my eyes off you/Not even for a second,” sings the duo. “Time goes faster than you think.”

Album: 10 Year Plan by The Shires (2022)
Format: Album

Artist Background: "The Shires" who formed in 2013, are an English country pop duo composed of singer-songwriters Ben Earle and Crissie Gudgin - who performs as Crissie Rhodes. They hail from the neighbouring counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Ben sings vocals and plays guitar and Shefford, Bedfordshire native Crissie Rhodes shares lead vocals. The duo fittingly took the band name in order to maintain a British identity and take a small part of the England back to the United States. "Shire" is the orig... Part of the England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Country Pop movement. Known for Country style.

Related Artists: Tenille Arts, Ward Thomas, The Wandering Hearts, Carly Pearce

Music Scene: Part of the England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Country Pop movement. Known for Country style.

Tags: 2020s, Album


The Shires

Biography

Quick Facts

Discography

Links