We previously featured Celeste Marie Wilson when she delivered Southern poetic beauty and raw emotion on the cinematic and metaphorical single, Willow, so when we learned that the rising star was back with Jesus, Tequila and Whiskey, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and convey our experience.

Jesus, Tequila and Whiskey opens with a vintage vocal with bandpass filtering, padded drums, bass and guitar as Celeste Marie taps into a subversive energy. With a rippling melodic riff, this clears into a sublime and atmospheric country-pop energy as she shares situational prose and the captivating hook of the song.

Her delivery is incredible – performed with dynamism and an energy that would be perfect for a Southern bar performance, especially with the request for a “hell yeah”. Once again, there is an undeniable cinematic allure – ideal for a sync placement in a movie like Coyote Ugly, or perhaps an episode of My Life with the Walter Boys.

Celeste Marie oozes charisma with this performance. We are hypnotized by her energy, and our only complaint is that the song is too short, as she leaves us yearning for more! We can thank the universe for a repeat button.

Jesus, Tequila and Whiskey is a brilliantly designed, high-energy anthem that celebrates the contrasting influences that shape life in the South. It cohesively and subversively fuses a little Sunday faith with a whole lot of Saturday-night fun.

We learn that the song was recorded fresh off Celeste Marie Wilson‘s victory at the Josie Music Awards held at the Grand Ole Opry House. The track was produced by Jim Reilley in Nashville, and features Celeste on vocals and rhythm guitar, Cody Clayton on guitar and steel, Noah Forbes on keyboards, Sam Storik on drums, and Reilley on bass and keyboards.

Needless to say, we continue to be in awe of what Celeste Marie Wilson is creating, and have added Jesus, Tequila and Whiskey to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Willow, and await Celeste Marie’s upcoming album!

The post Celeste Marie Wilson blends faith and fire on subversive Southern anthem, Jesus, Tequila and Whiskey appeared first on KIMU.

Drawing us in with ethereal notions and an acoustic guitar, Celeste Marie Wilson opens Willow with cinematic intrigue as she shares the lyrics, “I sang to willows and they sang back to me, we danced in the winds of sweet harmony, I had her weeping behind closed doors, and I said ‘Willow I won’t let them hurt you anymore…”

We are immediately enthralled by Celeste Marie’s poetic prowess and the metaphorical depth that the song exudes. It builds with piano and drums as her delicate vocals transform with a more assertive energy.

Willow would be perfect for a sync placement in a Sofia Coppola film, or perhaps an emotive scene with Jules in Euphoria on HBO. The moment with the highest emotional quotient comes with the electric guitar solo that emerges, reminding us of Lana Del Rey‘s Ultraviolence era.

As for the message of the song, it serves as an “anthem for sisterhood, perseverance and southern poetry” and a “venerable exploration of resilience”. There are definitely layers to the meaning of the song, as it can be received on a human level but also on a wider, natural level – with Willow signifying our collective relationship with Mother Earth. Celeste Marie also recently debuted a stripped-back version of the song for her 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Submission.

For some context, Celeste Marie Wilson is an award-winning Texas-born country-Americana artist from the Gulf Coast. She was recently named a finalist in the Great American Songwriting Contest for her haunting track If I Sin For You?. We learn that Celeste Marie has just completed her highly anticipated debut full-length album, Southern American Princess, produced by acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter Jim Reilley, known for his work with The New Dylans and collaborations with Hal Ketchum and Vince Gill.

Following standout performances in Nashville, including The Music Row Freak Show at The Local, Celeste Marie continues building momentum with live shows, including headlining the Ladies Ride Out at Maverick Harley-Davidson for International Female Ride Day, where she will debut new music from her forthcoming album ahead of its August 2026 release.

Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Willow to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we anticipate the release of Southern American Princess, and continue to stream Celeste Marie Wilson‘s growing discography, including Faerie Fruit, and Run and Hide.

The post Celeste Marie Wilson delivers Southern poetic beauty and raw emotion on cinematic and metaphorical single, Willow appeared first on KIMU.