June 26th, 2026 is a BIG Day for New Albums. Here’s Your Guide

News 40 Comments

BJ Barham of American Aquarium / Addison Johnson/ Cody Johnson / Rodney Crowell / Tift Merritt

Once again we’re starring into the face of one of those big album release days where the amount of top flight records is so intimidating, it’s worth stopping down and highlighting each one so you don’t miss something that might speak deeply to you.


Cody Johnson –Banks Of The Trinity

Now that traditional country continues to surge in popularity, Cody Johnson could be poised to take this thing to an entirely new level. His upcoming album is called Banks Of The Trinity, which references the river that snakes through east Texas where Johnson grew up. The 16-track album is once again produced by Trent Willmon.

The album will feature collaborations with Brothers Osborne and Luke Combs. What it won’t feature is a lot of songwriting from Cody Johnson. But just like his hero George Strait, Cody Johnson knows that the best songs should win out on a track list. And just like George Strait, Johnson has shown a strong propensity of picking those good songs over the years. (read more)

American Aquarium – New Ways To Lose (Alt-country)

Once again produced by Shooter Jennings, and recorded mostly live over 10 days in Los Angeles, the sessions for New Ways To Lose were said to be loose, live, and organic as opposed to striving for perfection. Shooter wanted to capture those spit pellets from frontman BJ Barham’s palate as he pours his soul out in songs.

“All of my records are yearbooks,” BJ says. “Twenty years from now, I’ll pull them off the shelf and remember exactly who I was when I wrote them … No matter what success you find, you’re always looking up the ladder at what you don’t have.” That speaks to the hunger that has persisted in this band, even as they’ve found grassroots success that is the envy of many others. (read more)

Rodney Crowell – Then Again (Americana)

A lost album from Rodney Crowell recorded in 2005 and featuring Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett, Benmont Tench, as well as Emmylou Harris and Lera Lynn? Count us in. “I’d forgotten about it completely,” Crowell recalls. “I’m glad I put it on the shelf, because now is the time for it. It may not be the time for it for the rest of the world, but it’s time for it for me.”

After Rodney Crowell released his trilogy of albums—The Houston Kid in 2001, Fate’s Right Hand in 2003, The Outsider in 2005—it helped launched the “Americana” movement in earnest, with Crowell as one of its kings. But when he recorded Then Again in 2005 in Nashville with the same basic band as the previous three, Crowell got cold feet that he was treading the same ground. So he shelved the project, until now.

Sad Daddy – Ozark Shine

If you want an authentic taste of true Ozark mountain music, you’d be hard pressed to find a better outfit to fulfill that purpose than the long-running semi-super roots group/collective Sad Daddy. Made up of notable solo performers and musicians Melissa Carper (bass), Rebecca Patek (fiddle), Brian Martin (guitar), and Joe Sundell (banjo), they’ve been making elemental string band music together with a distinct Ozark dialect since 2010.

Recorded at the Bomb Shelter in Nashville, their new album Ozark Shine features singing and songwriting contributions from all of the members, with egos placed aside, and a sincere love for the music busting out with every note played or sung. They’re like The Natural State’s version of Old Crow Medicine Show, without the put-ons. This is music from Arkansas, and by Arkansas.

Willow Avalon – Pink Pocket Pistol

By rather unconventional means, Willow Avalon has become one of the fastest-rising women in country music. Her debut album Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell found surprising traction, and her sophomore effort hopes to keep that momentum going. Ahead of Pink Pocket Pistol she’s released a collaboration with Jason Isbell called “Cardinal Sin.”

“This record is the beautiful and sweet fruit of years of heartache, revenge plots and a little pinch of everlasting love. I’ve never been more in love with something I’ve created and this record process was one of the most special and fulfilling experiences I’ve ever been a part of. Thank you to everyone who played on this record. Thank you to my band, my team and all the people who recorded it. Thank you to RCA for having us. I love this record soo much, I can’t wait for y’all to hear it.”

Addison Johnson – The State I’m In

Addison Johnson isn’t some sort of version of hyphenated country. He’s the real deal, served up with blue collar authenticity that’s unwilling to take shortcuts or compromise.

Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina and now living in Nashville, Addison Johnson is an under-heralded Outlaw traditionalist who’s been seen hanging out and touring with the likes of folks like Ward Davis and Alex Williams to Them Dirty Roses and The Wilder Blue. He made a big impression with his 2024 post pandemic album Dangerous Men, and is now back with this 12-song set co-produced by Addison himself.


Tift Merritt – Sugar (Americana)

With her first new album in nearly a decade, Tift Merritt takes time from serving as a Practitioner-in-Residence at Duke University, helping to shape the hotel reinvention of The Gables in Raleigh, NC, and advocating for musician rights through the Artist Rights Alliance to release Sugar, a collection of songs intentionally written over the last eight year.

“Before I made this record, I was looking at the world and thinking, ‘I don’t know what to do except try to put some love out there.’ And for me, singing is the most honest, immediate way to offer love,” says Merritt. “My work has always been about trying to understand what it means to be human at that point in time; I believe it’s my responsibility as an artist to have a creative response to the current moment.”

River Shook  – Country Angel

This might be River Shook’s first official record as a solo artist after officially leaving the Sarah Shook and The Disarmers name behind. But don’t expect this to mean a dramatic sea change in the overall approach. River Shook still brings uncommonly tight melodies to melancholic songwriting, while blending country tones and influences with a dark rock attitude. Shook co-produced the album with guitar player Blake Tallent.

“My songwriting, my music, they’re country to the bone, but it’s that rock n’ roll element that makes the whole thing lift off,” says Shook. “If you want to give fans an unforgettable show every night, you need that reckless energy and purity of spirit.”

The Malpass Brothers – Satisfied: Country Gospel Classics (Country Gospel)

Brothers Chris and Taylor Malpass are on the cutting edge of keeping the classic roots of country alive in the modern context. For their latest project, that includes the Gospel country songs that are so foundation to the genre’s sound. This isn’t just a release of covers. This is a live album and DVD underscoring their devotion to the more devoted side of country.

“These songs are the ones we grew up on,” say The Malpass Brothers.“They were part of our everyday life at home, on the road, and backstage. When we set out to make this project, we wanted to keep it simple and honest, and let the songs speak the way they always have. Getting to do that live made it even more special.” 

Cole Goodwin – Howdy EP

If good ol’ neotraditional country is your poison, Cole Goodwin is serving it up hot ‘n ready. Perhaps only junior to the wild success of Zach Top, Cole Goodwin has been slinging singles that stoke the nostalgia and remind you of a much better time in country music when twang and true sentiments were a requisite, not a bonus.

Cole Goodwin’s song “Howdy” is already placed on the leaderboard for Saving Country Music’s Single of the Year, and now he’s releasing a 4-song EP with the single as its namesake. It’s all just to get your ready for what hopes to be a big debut album. But this young man is already garnering a big buzz in true country circles.

(7-1) Poor Life Choices – June Bug in July

Paul Orehovec—a.k.a Poor Life Choices—is one of the most interesting characters you might ever encounter, whether you run into him in Nashville, Key West, or parts in-between. With songwriting reminiscent of John Prine and Todd Snider, you often also encounter interesting characters in his songs.

“I’ve always been a songwriter first,” says Orehovec about his debut album. “The production, the groove, the style… it’s amazing. This band is killer. But if you strip everything away, the song has to stand on its own. A June Bug in July is tardy for the party. I’m a little late, too. Most people don’t start chasing a music career at 39. But sometimes late, ends up being just the right time.”

More Album Releases:

Doc Lewis – Between the Lovin’ and the Leavin’

Sam Platts – Right Where I Belong

Colten Jesse – Waking

Brandon Jane – Making Peace

Angie K – Whiskey & Hemingway

Cast Iron Shoes – When I Leave This World

Andrew Sa – American Rough

The Steppers – The Lights Are Always On (jamgrass, bluegrass)

Boone Creek – Self-Titled (Reissue, bluegrass)

David G. Smith – Hero Street (Americana)

The Steppers – The Lights Are Always On (bluegrass)

Keenan O’Meara – Bathe in the Everlasting Light (folk)

John Mutchler – Church Street Tapes EP (folk, Americana)

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