August 29th is a MASSIVE Release Day in Country

Whoa, the release day we have lined up for Friday, August 29th is going to be WILD. Some of the names you might recognize. Some of them might be new to you. But they’re all worth paying attention to, with top caliber country traditionalists and killer songwriters all releasing highly anticipated albums. Lucky for you, you’re clued into little ol’ Saving Country Music to guide you through.

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Zach Top – Ain’t In It For My Health

Saving Country Music’s reigning Artist of the Year was definitely able to dial in that 90’s country sound on his 2024 Cold Beer & Country Music, which has become a massive hit record despite its throwback sound, and made Zach Top one of the hottest performers in all of country music. Cold Beer regularly competes near the top of the album charts with titles from Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan, and Post Malone.

Just like his last album, Ain’t In It For My Health will be produced by Carson Chamberlain, who’s Zach Top’s ace in the hole. Chamberlain is a Kentucky native that played steel guitar and was the bandleader for Keith Whitley all the way up to Whitley’s death in 1989. Chamberlain also co-writes many of Zach Top’s songs with Zach, including early singles “Good Times & Tan Lines” and “South of Sanity.”

Zach says the title of the album is a way for him to affirm his commitment to neotraditional country. “I’m here to stay, and it’s not whatever. I ain’t in it for my health.” (read more)

Rodney Crowell – Airline Highway

At 74 years old, Crowell is still refusing to pack it in, and still has plenty to say. And for his upcoming album Airline Highway taking flight August 29th, he’s getting a lot of lift from the collaborators who appear with him on the project. “This record is a document of me falling in love with these musicians,” says Crowell. “That’s one of the great perks of this job—falling in love with the people you’re playing with. And we caught that on tape.” 

Those musicians include Ashley McBryde, who appears on the album’s debut track “Taking Flight” that she also co-wrote, Lukas Nelson on “Rainy Days in California” he also co-wrote with Crowell, Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr who sings on “Heaven Can You Help,” while Rebecca and Megan Lovell from Larkin Poe contribute harmonies and slide guitar throughout the record. (read more)

Margo Price – Hard Headed Woman

Margo’s last couple of albums found her exploring the space beyond country music with pop and classic rock influences finding a more Fleetwood Mac vibe. But with Hard Headed Woman, Price promised a return to her country roots, and that’s exactly what we’ve heard from early singles like “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” co-written with the last Kris Kristofferson, and “Don’t Wake Me Up” featuring Jesse Welles. Tyler Childers also appears on the new record.

The new direction came after Price retooled her touring band. “I was with my band for over a decade, and we were treading in some kind of psychedelic rock territory,” Price says. “There was just a lot going on, and so I just kind of stripped back the sound and fell in love with country songs again. It’s been really cathartic to write songs about the journey that I’ve been on and where I’m going.”

Chandler Dozier – Bakersfield East EP

You’ve probably never heard of Chandler Dozier before, but you most certainly have now, and you won’t soon forget it after listening to his debut EP. Bakersfield East is a great way to describe it, because it finds this young man from Troy, North Carolina mixing the Bakersfield Sound with his bluegrass and traditional country roots, and displaying his studious understanding of numerous disciplines of the country genre. Lead single “It’s Not Me It’s You” will give you serious Dwight Yoakam vibes.

Dozier has been cutting his teeth on Lower Broadway, playing night after night, getting his chops down, and refining his sound. Now he’s ready to bring all that knowledge and experience to original songs, and start making a legacy of his own. This is definitely an artist you want to have on your radar.

Wynn Williams – Country Therapy

It’s almost like everywhere you look these days, there’s yet another new neotraditionalist coming out of the woodwork with a ’90’s country sound, inspired by names like George Strait and Brooks & Dunn. But Wynn Williams has been here. He released his debut, self-titled album in 2020 that included the big song “Tornado.”

Now like so many neotraditionalists, the time is right for Wynn Williams to ride the wave of neotraditional interest to greener pastures, and he’s ready to take advantage of it with Country Therapy. It’s neotraditional, but with some contemporary attitude, finding wide appeal among country fans. Wynn Williams also has plenty of skins on the wall. Along with being a former steer wrestler, he’s a regular performer at places like the Coupland Dancehall and Luckenbach, TX.

Anna Tivel – Animal Poem (folk, Americana)

It may not be especially country. In fact, expect a more contemporary folk sound from this Fluff & Gravy release. But Anna Tivel is one of the topmost songwriters of our time, stunning with her poetry and insight. We should expect nothing less from this Oregon-based artist’s new album Animal Poem co-produced with Sam Weber.

“Recorded live in a circle with some of my dearest friends, ‘Animal Poem’ was made in conversation,” says Tivel. “We wanted to be together in the room, to listen and respond in real time without the separation of walls and headphones. I met Sam Weber the summer before and resonated deeply with his musicality and his reasons. We sat around on porches swapping tunes, and I asked if he would help me make something that felt as unadorned and free. He donned hats seamlessly.”

Levi Foster – We Made Fire

Based in Nashville, Levi Foster has opened shows for Ashley McBride, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, Vince Gill, The Time Jumpers, and others, along with releasing multiple EPs. But now he’s ready to unveil his debut album, produced by Ken Coomer of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo fame.

“I wanted the album to feel honest—like something familiar, but with a few surprises along the way,” says Foster. “I got to explore the places and people that shaped me, blending heartache, hope, and a little grit. Putting out my first record feels like a huge step, and it’s been a long time in the making. I’m so proud of the work and patience that went into it, and it feels good to finally share it with the world!”

Caroline Spence – Heart Go Wild (Americana)

Few voices immediately compel you as quickly as Caroline Spence’s, with a soft delivery that sometimes comes with conveying hard truths and heavy emotions. First and foremost though, it’s her songwriting that has made her a favorite of many of her peers in Nashville. Her new album comes as her first since giving birth to her son, and seeing a new perspective on life.

“The songs on this album touch on just about everything a heart can feel,” Caroline Spence explains. “Titling this album ‘Heart Go Wild’ is my way of giving myself permission — to go wild in daring to present these stories of the heart, staying vulnerable and unfiltered and to stay in that wildness as I continue to go through life and make music.”

Jaelee Roberts – Let Me Be Lonely (bluegrass)

Jaelee Roberts is quickly becoming one of the most promising and respected vocalists, songwriters, and performers in bluegrass, helping to convert younger listeners from the appeal of her music. Though the new album Let Me Be Lonely is more bluegrass than anything else, she also finds some different textures to capture a more broad appeal.

“We stepped outside the box in a few spots,” says Roberts, “and I think that’s what makes this album special. At its heart, it’s a bluegrass record—but it’s flavored with classic country and even a little old-time rock & roll. This record includes a mix of originals and covers—songs that speak to my heart. I truly hope you enjoy listening as much as I loved creating it.”

Coyle Girelli – Out Of This Town

Coyle Girelli is best known in the indie rock world, but he crafted what is being characterized as a “darkly romantic country folk album” by co-writing songs with Mac Davis, who died in 2020. It started as a duets album eleven years ago, and is now finally being released. KT Tunstall, Jaime Wyatt, and Cassandra Lewis also appear on the album.

“Beyond the music was the human connection,” the British-born, New York-based Coyle Girelli says. “I knew Mac as a music legend, but what I found working closely with him at his home was one of the most kind, creative, and generous souls I’ve ever met. Collaborating with him was beautiful and real.”

Benjamin Tod and Lost Dog Street Band – Live From A Mile High – This is the band’s first live album, recorded at the Ogden Theatre in Denver in October of 2024. It includes Benjamin Tod’s covers of “Waiting Around To Die” and “Honky Tonk Heroes.”

Max Gomez – Memory Mountain – Folk and Americana from Northern New Mexico that imbues the geography of Taos, NM and the surrounding area into the songs.

Bonnie & the Mere Mortals – Take Me to the Moon – Cosmic Western country Americana with twang, pulling from influences as far drawn as Dolly Parton and David Bowie.

Stephen Wilson Jr. – Blankets EP– A four-song EP where Wilson covers Nirvana’s “Something In The Way,” Temple of the Dog’s “Hunger Strike,” The Postal Service’s “Clark Gable” and The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight.”

Shelby Lee Lowe – The Jack Daniel’s Sessions EP – This is the first EP recorded at Motlow Cave in Lynchburg, Tennessee. It features live recordings of four of Shelby’s original songs, as well an Eric Church cover.

Dustin Steen – Self-Titled EP – Folk-infused singer/songwriter country.

Moviola – Earthbound – Indie Americana from Columbus, Ohio.

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