Release Radar, Most Anticipated New Albums for 2nd Half of 2026
Look alive country music fans! The world might be coming apart and the economy crashing, but country music is here to help get you through it. It happens to be that the second half of 2026 is packed with top releases, especially heading into the summer. So here is your guide.
This works in three parts: (1) The top recommended albums for each release day, (2) a broader list of releases in roots music that have been pre-screened by Saving Country Music, (3) the always-juicy rumor mill where hints and allegations of new albums go.
Hint: Bookmark this page, and come back each Friday to stay up-to-date with releases. This list will be updated regularly under the “confirmed releases” heading as new albums are announced, though older albums won’t be removed from the list so people can look back at what they might have missed.
PLEASE NOTE: No artist or album was snubbed here. If there’s an album to be released that you believe is of interest to country and roots music, please feel free to share the information below in the comments section for the benefit of everyone.
Braxton Keith – Real Damn Deal – May 15th
Down in Texas, few if anyone needs convincing that Braxton Keith isn’t just the next big thing, but a one-man phenomenon packing out venues with young adults listening to old-sounding country music, and loving every minute of it. These are fans that were born and raised on Whitley and Strait, but identify with Braxton Keith because he’s from their generation as parent look on with pride.
And all of this and 2.2 million monthly Spotify listeners is happening ahead of Braxton’s debut album. Now signed to Warner Records Nashville, Braxton Keith could have contemporized his sound and smoothed off the pointy, twangy edges. But if anything, as time has gone on, Braxton has double down on his traditional/neotraditional sound. (read more)
Ryan Bingham – They Call Us The Lucky Ones – May 15th
It’s been since 2019’s American Love Song that we got a proper studio album from Ryan Bingham. The Americana musician, actor, and Texan has been staying busy otherwise, including regularly touring with The Texas Gentlemen. Now that partnership will be codified via the new album. Self-produced and written by Bingham himself, the album looks to re-establish Bingham as one of the more gritty, Western-tinged songwriters in Americana.
“Working with musicians as talented as The Texas Gentlemen really let us lean into [feeling] a way I hadn’t experienced before,” Bingham says. “There was an unspoken understanding between us about what each song needed, so we tracked most of it live with minimal overdubs, just playing and letting the feel lead.” (read more)
Reckless Kelly – Alternate Routes – May 15th
Alt-country/Texas music legends Reckless Kelly is no different than many of the artists and bands who first came up in the mid and late ’90s. With no Spotify at your dispose, and no social media to promote yourself, if you wanted to make it in music, you had to sign with a record label. Making this deal with the devil also often meant signing your rights away, whether you knew it or not.
“These songs have been part of our lives, and our fans’ lives, for decades,” says founding member and fiddle/mandolin player Cody Braun. “But like many of the artists who came up when we did, we didn’t own the original recordings. Re-recording them was our way of taking a little bit of that story back. Not rewriting history, just making sure the future of these songs lives in the hands of the people who created them.” (read more)
Shakey Graves – Fondness, Etc. – May 15th
To be released via Secret Identity / Dualtone Records, Fondness, Etc. will be the fifth official album of Shakey’s grassroots career that started by him making a stir on Bandcamp, blossoming into a viral status before we knew about such things, smartly allowing fans to find him as opposed to vice versa.
“I had a vision of making this album feel like a sort of zero-budget Roy Orbison ‘50s pop record, and with such a small window to write, record, and release an entire album, I figured I should do what the pros would do and sneak in a cover song written by an old friend. I first heard [Frankie Sunswept] play ‘Time Flies’ in like 2007 at the Sidewalk Cafe in Alphabet City.” (read more)
49 Winchester – Change of Plans – May 15th
We don’t seem to be able to agree on much these days in these United States. But anyone who’s heard 49 Winchester tends to agree these Virginia boys are one of the best things going in music, taking country and Appalachian influences, and then bolstering them with frontman Isaac Gibson’s incredibly soulful voice.
It’s hard to believe this will be #6 for the 6-piece band when Change of Plans is released on May 15th. But this one might be the most important release of their entire career. Partnering with new label MCA while also still working with their previous independent label New West, Change of Plans will officially be the band’s major label debut. It was also executive produced by Dave Cobb, who oversaw recording sessions at his studio in Savannah, GA. (read more)
Don Williams – Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes – May 29th
Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes is exactly what it sounds like: never-before-heard recordings discovered in the cellar of the Williams family’s rural Tennessee home on multi-track tapes. The tapes were in workable shape, with Don’s vocal tracks intact across the recordings. Some of the instrumental tracks had deteriorated over time, so they solicited Don’s long-time producer Garth Fundis to help restore the recordings.
“Don liked every one of these songs,” says Garth Fundis. “I remember recording all of them… He was very particular about the songs he recorded and the sound we created for each of them. But if a song didn’t make into an album, it wasn’t necessarily because he didn’t like it. Moreover, it was because of how songs fit together to create an album. I think he’d be thrilled to know that people could hear him sing these new songs they didn’t know existed. I’m certain Don would be proud of this album.” (read more)
Willie Nelson – Dream Chaser – May 29th
As has been customary over the last few years, Willie Nelson used the opportunity of his Luck Reunion appearance to announce a new album. On May 29th, Willie Nelson will deliver his 79th studio release called Dream Chaser. It’s not a tribute album like many of his recent releases, but one that will include more original music, including six songs co-written by Willie. Once again Buddy Cannon will be the producer.
Other notables about the upcoming album include a song Willie co-wrote with Bob Dylan called “I Can’t Read Your Mind.” Bobby Tomberlin also co-writes four songs on the album. There’s also a song co-written by Willie’s long-time harmonica player Mickey Raphael who of course also appears on the album, and a rendition of “Developing My Pictures” originally recorded by George Jones. (read more)
Joshua Ray Walker – Ain’t Dead Yet – May 29th
After receiving a serious Cancer diagnosis in 2023, it could have been the end of the road for Joshua Ray Walker’s life and music. Lucky for us, Joshua Ray Walker has received the all-clear. But even amid Cancer treatment and terminal diagnoses, Walker did everything he could to squeeze out as much music as possible, just in case his time left was finite. This has now resulted in a second trilogy of albums, all that are intertwined with Walker’s health journey, and coming to grips with mortality.
Joshua Ray Walker is readying the release of the more serious album he was working on before, during, and after his Cancer battle, appropriately titled Ain’t Dead Yet. A strong country work with Walker’s dedication to involved songwriting and stellar vocal ability on display, it will be released via East Dallas Records/Thirty Tigers. (read more)
Colby Acuff – Handmade Horsepower – June 2nd
Along with releasing the new song “Long Way From The Bottom,” Colby Acuff has announced the release of his latest album Handmade Horsepower coming out on the unlikely date of Tuesday, June 2nd. Having moved on from his major label era, the album will be released completely independently. The 11-track album was produced once again by Eddie Spear, who Acuff has worked with numerous times in the past.
A native of Idaho, Acuff took off via the viral nature of his song “If I Were The Devil.” Ever since then, he’s worked hard to stick to his own center of gravity and sense of artistry as opposed to chasing the next viral moment. It’s paid off for him with sustained success and a strong grassroots fan base.
The Red Clay Strays – Grateful – June 5th
Produced once again by Dave Cobb, it won’t be a Gospel album in its entirety as some had rumored. But as the debut song “Demons In Your Choir” backed by a Gospel choir illustrates, it will have a strong spiritual component.
“’Moment of Truth’ was a big album about having faith in dark times, looking to a higher power,” says frontman Brandon Coleman. “And ‘Made By These Moments’ focused on realizing those dark times that you were having to have faith through, which made you who you are. You made it through when you didn’t think you would. And now we’re at a point where we’re grateful. Looking to God in whatever situation you’re in is a denominator in all of the albums.” (read more)
Charlie Marie – Signs – June 5th
Charlie Marie wowed country fans with her early EPs and her debut album Ramble On (2021), but left us crestfallen when she announced she was stepping away from music for an extended period at the end of 2021.
Charlie steps back into music in a big way with her new song called “Heart” ahead of what will be her second full-length album Signs. The album comes inspired by an extended journey Charlie Marie took after the death of her father and other trauma where she detached herself from all other priorities, packed up her car with no intention or itinerary, and embarked on what the old cowboys would call a “high lonesome” out West, venturing through Montana and even up to Alaska. (read more)
Jason Eady – Tulsa Turnaround – June 5th
When you’re talking about preeminent songwriters, the talk often turns to Jason Eady, especially in Texas, and Mississippi, and now, Tulsa—the inspiration for his latest album, Tulsa Turnaround. The title track is out now.
“My writing process has changed a lot as I get further into my career so the songs don’t come as frequently as they used to, but they come with a lot more intent. And this record was intentional,” Jason Eady explains. “I’ve always been a fan of the Tulsa Sound. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always felt something different when I heard songs with a certain sparseness and laid back groove. The kind of groove that wasn’t in your face but sucked you in. The kind that pulled you in deep and wouldn’t let go.”
Bella White – A Sign In The Weather – June 5th
Bella White has been captivating audiences with her elevated songwriting and unique phrasing that makes songs into experiences that stick to the inside of your soul. Her third studio album A Sing In The Weather is solely written by Bella, and was co-produced by White with Ross Farbe. Drummer Sam Gelband, bassist Gina Leslie, guitarist Nick Corson, and pedal steel player Nikolai Shveitser, pianist Duncan Troast, vocalist Maddy Kirgo, and long time bandmate Patrick M’Gonigle on fiddle also appear on the album.
“To me this album was a real labor of love and so empowering to make—it validated that I trust myself and trust my vision, and now I just want to keep doing it my way and keep working with people I believe in,” Bella says.
John R. Miller – The Great Unknowing – June 5th / July 17th (digital)
If you know, you know. And what you know is that John R. Miller is one of the greatest songsmiths of this generation, tearing down highways to play for appreciative audiences, and making albums the right way for the right reasons. He might not be selling out arenas, but he’s a direct inspiration of guys like Tyler Childers who are, and brings that authentic West Virginia perspective to everything he does.
What he’s been doing lately is putting the finishing touches on his latest album called The Great Unknowing, set to be released June 5th on physical formats, and distributed digitally on July 17th by Rounder Records. But this one wasn’t cut in Appalachia or even Nashville. To try and find a renewed vigor behind his music, John R. Miller ventured to Tulsa, Oklahoma to record. (read more)
Kenny Whitmire – Fool In A King Size Bed – June 12th
If your appetite for neotraditional country is insatiable, and you’re looking for your next fix wherever it might present itself, Kenny Whitmire would definitely be somewhere to point your nose. Though he’s only released a succession of singles at this point, his song “I Gave Her The Moon” stuns with its Keith Whitley-like delivery, and the crying steel guitar of “Thought Twice About Loving You” reminds you of the best of ’90s country balladry.
It felt like it was only a matter of time before someone snatched him up and tried to make a bonafide star out of him. That’s now officially happened as MCA has put pen to paper with Whitmire. “Signing with MCA is one of those moments you dream about as a kid,” Whitmire says. (read more)
Cody Johnson –Banks Of The Trinity – June 26th
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 Banks Of The Trinity, which references the river that snakes through east Texas that Johnson grew up around. The 16-track album will once again is 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)
Rodney Crowell – Then Again – June 26th
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.
Gary Stewart – One Track Mind – July 17th
There is new, unheard music on the way from the King of the Honks Tonks himself, Gary Stewart. And no, this is not some AI gimmick. Scout’s honor. The 16 previously-unheard recordings and 20 total songs on digital and CD versions are taken from Gary Stewart’s early career between 1967 and 1972. It comes from an era when Stewart was known more as a songwriter than a performer, but was still at the peak of his creative form.
The tracks range from fully fleshed-out recordings, to some songwriting demos and work tapes, along with an acetate recording. They were preserved and readied for release by producer Mark Linn and Stewart’s close friend Tommy Schwartz. The vinyl version will come on 140-gram, “Okeechobee purple” vinyl. (read more)
Silverada – Living Proof – August 7th
New song “Highway Man” finds the hard touring honky-tonk band from Austin, TX striking a reflective mood, inspired by the many miles and many places and people they’ve seen on the road. Whether shop talk for musicians, truckers, cowboys, and dreamers, or a dose of escapism for those landlocked with little ones and regular jobs, “Highway Man” sets you out on a lonesome high desert road alive with a sense of freedom.
The talk of a “new era” for Silverada comes after the departure of steel guitarist Zachary Moulton in March of 2025. “Highway Man” is Silverada’s first song since Moulton’s departure. Though the band performed with steel guitarist Adam “Ditch” Kurtz (American Aquarium, Joshua Ray Walker) for some shows, they have decided since to add keyboard player Parker Twomey (Paul Cauthen, solo artist) as a permanent member. (read more)
Alicia Blue – Country Desire – August 28th
In what promises to be a big debut album, Nashville-based singer and songwriter Alicia Blue will release Country Desire, produced by Shooter Jennings. It’s inspired by her time growing up on the South Borderlands of Texas and the orange groves of Southern California, and when it comes to the album’s lead single “Kentucky Cowboy,” a beau she met on the Tennessee border.
“What didn’t lead to ‘Country Desire?'” she asks. “I’d say a lifetime of parts of myself that came to the surface, that needed airtime, the spotlight, so they could stop sitting in the driver’s seat. Parts that wanted the rush of a poetic life, at the cost of personal power and stability. Romance with cowboys, men with working hands but a notebook and guitar in the back. Mirrors and smoke and mirrors.”
OTHER ANTICIPATED/CONFIRMED RELEASES
May 15th
Braxton Keith – Real Damn Deal
Ryan Bingham – They Call Us The Lucky Ones
49 Winchester – Change of Plans
Amanda Shaw – Rhythm of My Roots
Shakey Graves – Fondness, Etc. (Americana)
Jobi Riccio – Face The Feeling (Americana)
Kevin Morby – Little Wide Open (Americana)
Teddy Thompson – Never Be The Same (Americana)
Russell Jamie Johnson – Self-Titled (Americana)
Crow and Gazelle – Truth Be Told (Americana, Red Dirt)
Jack Shields – Avalanche Hour (Country Rock)
Reckless Kelly – Alternate Routes (re-recordings)
Carly King – Loving you is Easy (folk)
Johnny Mullenax – This Joint’s For You Too EP
Sarah Harralson – Just The Beginning EP
(5-20) Jordan Allen – California Sunrise
May 22nd
Rodeo Mouth – Terrestrial Thrills
Ben Chapman – Feet On Fire (Americana)
Steep Canyon Rangers – Next Act (bluegrass)
Bill Kirchen – Cat out of The Bag (Americana)
Audrey Spillman – Nightingale (Americana)
The Deslondes – Don’t Let it Die Vol. 1 (covers album)
Alela Diane – Who’s Keeping Time? (contemporary folk)
Broommaker – Hourglass (folk)
Kyle Clark – Better on a Boat (Contemporary country)
Reba McEntire – Hurt Like That EP
(5-23) – Morgan Helltown & The Lost Cause – II
(5-27) Luke Winslow-King – Coast Of Light (Americana)
May 29th
Rodney Atkins – True South
Don Williams – Epilogue: The Cellar Tapes
Willie Nelson – Dream Chaser
R.W. Hampton – My Country
Nathan Evans Fox – Heirloom
Moonlight Mile – Northern Lights
David Serby – Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk
Kip Moore – Reason To Believe
SUSTO – Susto Stringband (Volume 2)
Renée Fleming and Béla Fleck – The Fiddle and the Drum (Americana)
Matt White – Dolly (Jazz, trumpet Dolly Parton covers)
Mike Rogers – Self-Titled (country Gospel)
The Highwomen – Live at the Gorge (live album, surprise release)
Deer Fellow – Hues (indie folk pop)
Tyler Richards – Unwind EP
Mack Geiger – Walk A Straight Line EP
Michael Schott – That’s My Honky Tonk EP
Wesko – Familiar Spirits EP
(5-30) Casey Van Beek – The Route 66 Sessions
(6-1) Colin Nash – For The Square
(6-2) Colby Acuff – Handmade Horsepower
June 5th
Jason Eady – Tulsa Turnaround
The Red Clay Strays – Grateful (Americana, roots)
Charlie Marie – Signs
John R. Miller – The Great Unknowing (physical release)
Old Crow Medicine Show – Union Made
Brent Cobb – Live a Song, Write a Memory. Vol 1 (acoustic)
Grey DeLisle and Les Greene – Grey & Greene
Avry Truex – The Restless Wandering Avry Truex
The Carter Sisters – Voices from the Ridge: The Final Sessions
Bella White – A Sign In The Weather
Jo Dee Messina – Bridges
Sierra Ferrell – Live At Third Man Records (Vinyl Only)
Caleb Caudle – Heavy Thrill (Americana)
Alexandra King – Across The Pond (Irish Americana)
The Rounder Circle –California Bound (bluegrass, Americana)
Haylie Davis – Wandering Star (Americana)
Light Bird – See Her (folk)
Grace Gunn – Across The Pond (Irish Americana)
Nest of Singing Birds – The Marshall Sessions (folk)
The Huntress and Holder of Hands – Babylon (Gothic roots)
Tony Kamel – Live from the Bunker (live album)
Tony Rice – Self-Titled (reissue, bluegrass)
Rita Bliss – Live From London EP (folk)
(6-6) Josh Mitcham – Gonna Be Alright
June 12th
Tommy Goodroad – Goddammit
Midland – Stages
The French Family Band – From Huron to Hickory
Dailey & Vincent – A Beautiful Life
Leah Grams Johnson – State of Grace
The French Family Band – Huon to Hickory
Brad Tursi – Colorado
Arthur Stulien – Heart on the Run
Sam Morrow – Southern Boogie (Southern rock, Americana)
Alex Amen – Son of Amen (country folk)
Breakfield – Self-Titled (Americana)
Duane Betts – Isle of Hope (Americana)
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs – No Regrets (Americana)
Fruit Bats – The Landfill (Americana)
Clay DuBose – Father Time & Mother Nature (Americana)
Kyle LaLone – Make My Own Way (Americana)
Mike Richmond – Without An Audience (Americana)
Bob Wagner – I’ve Been Down (Americana, Jam Band)
Jon Pardi – California Sunrise (10th Anniversary Edition)
Bandits On The Run – Rough Magic (Indie folk)
Ike Reilly – Blind and Surrounded (Americana)
Courtney Hartman – With You: From The Garden Shed (Acoustic)
Kenny Whitmire – Fool in a King Size Bed EP
Caryn Dixon – Accidental Cowgirl EP
(6-16) Billy Ray Cyrus – The Hill
(6-18) Candace Hastings – Soft Place to Land
June 19th
Candace Hastings – Soft Place to Land
Leadbeaters – Juice In The Crank
The War and Treaty – The Story of Michael and Tanya
J Schlueter – The Other Mile (Americana)
Kashus Culpepper – Act 1: Summer Nights (Deluxe Edition)
(6-24) – Danny Golden – The Big Blue (Americana)
June 26
Addison Johnson – The State I’m In
Cody Johnson – The Banks of the Trinity
Doc Lewis – Between the Lovin’ and the Leavin’
Willow Avalon – Pink Pocket Pistol
American Aquarium – New Ways To Lose
Sad Daddy – Ozark Shine
Brandon Jane – Making Peace
River Shook – Country Angel
Angie K – Whiskey & Hemingway
Cast Iron Shoes – When I Leave This World
Rodney Crowell – Then Again (Lost Album, Americana)
Andrew Sa – American Rough
The Malpass Brothers – Satisfied: Country Gospel Classics (Country Gospel)
The Steppers – The Lights Are Always On (jamgrass, bluegrass)
Tift Merritt – Sugar (Americana)
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)
Cole Goodwin – Howdy EP
(7-1) Poor Life Choices – June Bug in July
July 10th
Trever M. Keith – We Drank from a Poisoned Well
Effie Zilch – Higher Calling (Americana)
Houndmouth – Lordy (Americana)
Remy Sher – Heat (folk rock)
Mason Jennings – Dark Wings (folk)
Alex Williams – Discount Country EP
July 17
Neon Moons – Day Late And A Dollar Short
John R. Miller – The Great Unknowing (digital release)
Waylon Payne – Wayward
Isaac Jacob Band – The Brush Country Tapes
Aaron Lewis – Give My Country Back
Lily Meola – Lucky To Be
Scotty McCreery – 15 (Retrospective with 4 new tracks)
Alyssa Hankey – Good Country People (Americana)
Aaron Lee Tasjan – Get Over It, Underdog (Americana)
Amy Martin – Bones (Americana)
CR & the White Lights – My Old Self (Americana)
Parker Barrow – Hold The Mash (Southern rock)
Slow Accordion – Self-Titled (Improvised roots)
July 24th
Charles Wesley Godwin – Christian Name
Waylon Wyatt – Dustpiles
Creekbed Carter Hogan – Peasants Revolt
Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves – Bury Deep My Heart (EDM Traditional country?)
Maya de Vitry – All My Faith (Americana)
Johnny Delaware – On God’s Time (Americana)
Brand New Heartache – A New Alchemy
Maya de Vitry – All My Faith (Americana)
Carter Faith – Cherry Valley Forever (Deluxe Edition)
July 31st
Buffalo Traffic Jam – Pictures of You
Wyatt Flores – Scared of Heights
Shaboozey – The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales
(8-2) Lee Brice – Sunriser
Aug 7
Silverada – Living Proof
Joshua Quimby – Piecemeal
Charlie Worsham – Once Upon a Second Time
Finn – Control (Americana)
Surrender Hill – Wild Country (Americana)
Various Artists – Sittin’ With Blaze: A Tribute To Blaze Foley
Corb Lund – Dark Horses (Acoustic versions of songs)
August 14th
Maggie Rose – Half Moon
Elizabeth Cook – Great Television
Bronwyn – Rattilin’ Bones (bluegrass)
Kate MacLeod’s Mind The Gap – Home Brewed (folk, bluegrass)
Josh Turner – Your Man (Deluxe Edition)
August 21st
Adam Chaffins – Trailer Trash: Doublewide
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Reel 2 Reel 4 Real
Grace Potter – Trespasser
David Nail – Flowers
Kate Waters – Some Comfort
Ian Munsick – The Mountain Goat
Stephanie Sammons – Head Noise
American Cosmic Revival Vol. 2: Miles From Nowhere
(8-20) Ken Pomeroy – Tonight’s News EP
August 28th
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Ryman To Robert’s (live album)
Alicia Blue – Country Desire
Trey Pendley – Signs of Life
Ruby Dice – Take Me Back
Carly Pearce – Honest Woman
Fruition – Something More
Sera Cahoone – I’ve Missed You All These Years (Americana)
Dan Seals and Friends – The Last Duet (duets album)
(9-9) Admiral Radio – Heirloom
September 11th
Pokey LaFarge – Rent Money
Ali Holder – Garden of the Underworld (Americana)
Brian Fallon – Not Bad for New Jersey (Americana)
September 18th
Riley Green – That’s Just Me
Jason Scott and the High Heat – Play Boy
Katie Pruitt – Fools for the Fleeting (Americana)
September 25
Jeffrey Halford & the Healers – Used Parts
Wade Bowen – The Version of Me You Get
Bill Scorzari – Sidereal Days (Day 2) (Americana)
October 2nd
Wynonna – The Hard Truth
October 9th
Levi Foster – Appalachian Funk
Naomi Jane – Kinda Sorta Country
Dingo – Nightwire (Americana)
October 16th – Matt Tedder – Light Touch
THE RUMOR MILL
Cross Canadian Ragweed said during their recent Boys From Oklahoma concert in Stillwater that they hope to have a live album out of the first Boys From Oklahoma concert in 2025 soon.
Shane Smith and the Saints said on April 29th that they were in the studio in Memphis working on pre-production for a new album.
Waylon Jennings will likely have the second installment of his archive releases curated by son Shooter Jennings released later this year. Likely called Diamonds, expect more news about it later this summer or into the Fall.
David Allan Coe has a posthumous release on the way. Recorded in 2017 for Colt Ford’s Average Joe’s Records, it was never released. Manager Ken Madsen hopes to release it on September 6th, 2026, which would have been Coe’s 87th birthday. (read more)
On December 9th, 2025 Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours posted on Instagram, “New Record in 26? You tell me.” There was some rumors previously of a solo record from Felker previously too. But with the success of Turnpike’s The Price of Admission, they could be trying to carry that momentum into next year.
Wyatt Flores has signed with MCA and released a couple of new singles ahead of a new album expected to be announced soon.
Miranda Lambert will have a new album combining country and disco. (read more)
Charles Wesley Godwin is likely to announce a new album when he releases a song with Luke Combs very soon.
The Highwomen are said to be reuniting this winter to write new songs.
Joe Nichols is working on a new album and swears it’s super traditional country like his first few.
Billy Strings has said he wants to work on an album based around his late mother’s poetry.
Though traditionalist Jason James officially stepped away from music in 2023, he’s now stepping back in it, playing shows again, and getting ready to release an album called Cut The Chain through Heart of Texas Records at some point in 2026.
Craig Campbell will have a new album assembled from songs that he was told were “too country” for other albums.
Margo Price recently played the West Tennessee Correctional Facility for women inmates in a concert that will be turned into a live album and documentary.
Jesse Daniel on December 17th, “I’ve got two records in the can and I’m ready to do another. Lord help me.”
Ray Wylie Hubbard has been teasing a new album for many months now, with his latest tease taking the form of two crows talking about him, saying, “so he recorded another album?” “yeah, still writing songs. just don’t know the word quit.” “thinks he gonna go out like pike bishop in the wild bunch. probably just trip over a frog on his way to the mailbox to get a $7.48 royalty check from japan.” “oh well..got his dreams.”
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May 14, 2026 @ 6:16 pm
No date, but there’ll be a new American Aquarium in late summer.
May 15, 2026 @ 8:20 am
Super excited for that
May 14, 2026 @ 6:30 pm
Brad Paisley working on a new project called “Tacklebox” including stuff he wrote back in the 90s and earlier in his career. First two songs that’s come out definitely had that older Brad sound and some 90s country feel. Pretty excited as a lifelong paisley apologist.
May 14, 2026 @ 7:22 pm
I might address the whole Brad Paisley thing separately. Who knows exactly what “Tacklebox” will be. I’m still waiting for his Appalachain project, which it looks like the label snuffed out because the singles didn’t streak to #1. The whole thing feels like a mess to me.
May 15, 2026 @ 2:27 am
I agree I have no idea what he’s trying to do. This is the third album/project he’s attempted to get off the ground. I was pretty excited about the Appalachian album he was teasing. I know he changed labels since his last proper release not counting the Christmas album. Regardless his sound is starting to sound alot closer to his early albums when he was at his best. Hopefully he’s done trying to get back on the radio and just keeps up the good quality he seems to be back to.
May 15, 2026 @ 6:44 am
I don’t think this has anything to do with what Brad Paisley is trying to do. I think this has to do how his label is getting in the way of everything he’s trying to do, and he’s just trying to figure out work arounds to get new music out.
May 15, 2026 @ 4:26 am
And that is such a loss because those singles were amazing. The Medicine Will and Son of The Mountains were phenomenal.
May 15, 2026 @ 7:14 am
Yessir, they were both fantastic. I hope he eventually gets to release the whole project. I was hoping for good things when he switched labels but it seems to be a struggle. Last 5/6 songs he’s released though have been pretty solid. Another on this morning. Not sure if this tacklebox thing is gonna be an actual album or if he’s just gonna release songs as he feels like it or gets to.
May 15, 2026 @ 3:40 pm
I think he should just join the independent country scene, I’m itching to hear that early paisley sound again. But I’m also not familiar with the business side of music so this comment may sound ridiculous.
May 16, 2026 @ 6:53 am
There are a fair number of artists from that “peak-Paisley” era that seem to be stuck in record deals where the label has no idea what to do with them since their radio start turn has faded, but also are not actually willing to put out the music they are creating.
Absolutely sucks for the artists. Paisley could absolutely have a second life not as a radio star, but a guy taking advantage of the current “neo-traditional” wave at radio and instead his label seems to be like “nah, lets keep throwing random singles at radio and hoping for the best”.
Gary Allan is another artist that pops to my brain who seems to be in this same predicament.
May 16, 2026 @ 8:42 pm
I’d rather not hear anything from Paisley again rather than have him turn into a Chris Young, who has sold his entire musical soul to maintain radio success despite the traditional/retro trend in country music overall. Young was every bit the modern-day Conway Twitty that Riley Green aspires to be when he ditched his trademark bedroom ballads for pandering commercial crap.
May 17, 2026 @ 1:04 pm
I think of Paisley’s career kind of like Vince Gill’s career before him. They’re both monster guitar players with pretty faces who got stuck doing crappy music because that’s crappy music is what the industry wants. Vince Gill has been able to break out of that, retire from the crappy music, and use his amazing musicianship to advance the world of Western swing and other things. I really wish Paisley would just take his amazing guitar chops to some other form of neo traditional music rather than being stuck with whatever he’s dealing with with his label
May 14, 2026 @ 7:16 pm
Hey Trigger,
Your list goes out to October 9. How many new albums do you expect Charley Crockett will have out by then?
May 14, 2026 @ 7:22 pm
Ha! Well, if Island has their way, it might be zero.
May 14, 2026 @ 7:25 pm
Margo Price posted recently she’s been working on stuff in the studio. New songs from her at some point
May 15, 2026 @ 10:54 am
Isn’t there enough wrong with the world already?! Sheesh.
May 14, 2026 @ 7:52 pm
Jarrod Walker (mandolinist and sometimes songwriter with Billy Strings) released a damn fine newgrass album with a heavy dose of country about a week ago, Nighthawk. It’s well worth a listen.
May 14, 2026 @ 8:01 pm
Is it true that Charley Crockett’s A Cowboy in London soundtrack will be released on vinyl as a double album with deluxe gatefold cover?
May 14, 2026 @ 8:11 pm
Whitey Morgan recently said he’s hoping to release new music soon. There was some kind of hold up
May 14, 2026 @ 9:51 pm
Yeah, laziness.
May 15, 2026 @ 9:45 am
Evergreen comment…
May 15, 2026 @ 2:10 pm
He played at least 4 new songs in Portland at his last show and in Bend as well.
May 17, 2026 @ 7:17 am
Another artist who would be more popular if they had regular releases. Instead, they blame their lack of fame on the man.
May 14, 2026 @ 8:30 pm
I was going to mention the new Shania Twain album releasing in July but then I listened to the first track…and I guess it doesn’t count.
May 14, 2026 @ 8:52 pm
Looking forward to Nathan Evans Fox and Trey Pendleton.
Curious what you thought of Coleman Jennings’ new album? And Logan Mac?
I was excited to Colton Bowlin, but really didn’t hold up vs his earlier EPs and live stuff.
May 14, 2026 @ 10:04 pm
I hope to have a Coleman Jennings review up soon.
May 15, 2026 @ 9:35 am
I think it’s really exceptional. His live videos give a n even clearer sense of what he can do with that voice — obviously lots of Willie in there, with maybe a little Luke Bell sprinkled in. One of my favorites of the year so far.
May 14, 2026 @ 9:53 pm
7/24 – Wes Bayliss (Steel Woods). Yes, it’s gospel in a very much southern rock, Steel Woods vibe.
May 14, 2026 @ 10:13 pm
49 Winchesters new album was released today, May 15th.
May 14, 2026 @ 10:18 pm
Yeah, typo on my part. It says the 15th in the description and on the release radar portion. Not sure how the date was wrong in the title. Lots of data to keep up with here. It happens.
May 14, 2026 @ 10:27 pm
Rumor mill addition: Noeline Hofmann spoke about an upcoming debut album in a Rolling Stone Nashville Now podcast. The Castellows gave several hints on a debut album on their Instagram account.
May 15, 2026 @ 1:40 am
Old Crow Medicine Show ~ Union Made
June 5th
May 15, 2026 @ 1:47 am
I have a few more for you, Trig!
May 15
Sam Gelband – That’s All
Johnny Mullenax – This Joint’s For You Too (ep)
May 22
Natural Child – Wooden
May 29
Renée Fleming and Béla Fleck – The Fiddle and the Drum
R.W. Hampton – My Country
June 1
Collin Nash – For The Square
June 5
Old Crow Medicine Show – Union Made
June 19
Leadbeaters – Juice In The Crank
The War and Treaty – The Story of Michael and Tanya
June 26
Sad Daddy – Ozark Shine
Jesper Lindell – Royal
The Malpass Brothers – Satisfied: Country Gospel Classics
July 10
Jack Browning – Painted Skies
July 24
Creekbed Carter Hogan – Peasants Revolt
August 7
Joshua Quimby – Piecemeal
August 21
Ken Pomeroy – Tonight’s News
September 12
Pokey LaFarge – Rent Money
September 25
Jeffrey Halford & the Healers – Used Parts
May 15, 2026 @ 2:52 am
CWG’s new album Christian Name was just posted on iTunes, out 7/24 – can’t wait for that one
I reckon no more news about rumored new music from Holly Williams?
May 15, 2026 @ 2:55 am
May 29th – Kiefer Sutherland’s album “Grey” comes out
May 15, 2026 @ 1:29 pm
I just read that he had to cancel the US leg of his tour due to poor ticket sales. He seems pretty successful in Europe, but just can’t seem to catch on in the US.
June 2, 2026 @ 9:30 am
Which is a shame. He’s very talented both as a singer and songwriter. He also doesn’t seem to be doing it just to ‘cash in’ on anything…he truly seems to enjoy it just as much as he does acting.
May 15, 2026 @ 3:09 am
My favorite Country Band from London: The Hanging Stars, out in June 19th on Loose Music
May 15, 2026 @ 3:52 am
Lee Brice’s album was delayed to October 2 and is being released alongside a 32-song deluxe edition.
May 15, 2026 @ 4:35 am
The self-titled record was astoundingly good almost 10 years ago. Nothing worthwhile since then. I know some people love “Memory I Don’t Mess With” but that hook and “memory I don’t mess with” as a lyric
flat
out
sucks.
From “Boy” and “Rumor” and all those excellent album cuts to flat out junk, and while I’m a conservative, the new song sucks, too. I think Lee Brice is ultimately more good than bad, but when it comes to that new song…I believe Bo Burnham about covered it with “Pandering” however many years ago.
May 15, 2026 @ 10:00 am
“Rumor” and his duet with Carly Pearce, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” are miles ahead of pretty much anything else he’s recorded. I lean liberal but I don’t care about the politics of entertainers, just the quality of the entertainment they provide me.
I keep wondering how much being with Curb for so long has hurt his career. Putting out a 32-track album of a singer they’ve done little to develop or promote for so long is a real head-scratcher. Who’s going to buy it? Does he have a fan base left at this point?
May 15, 2026 @ 6:50 am
So they’re releasing it on a Sunday I guess.
May 15, 2026 @ 4:22 am
Ian Noe finally released a new song, “Jukebox Blues” several weeks back. He’s been playing it live for some time now (at least in his limited appearances – I saw him play it live in November 2024). Back in November 2024, he was indicating a new album called “Canyon Falls Trailer Band.” Hopefully an actual release from that song will mean that album may come soon.
May 15, 2026 @ 4:55 am
What is really up with Arlo? I am so ready for a new Arlo McKinley album
May 18, 2026 @ 1:37 pm
He just jumped on the Chris Knight show here in Nashville as the opener. Hopefully he is about to get back at it post baby,
May 15, 2026 @ 5:53 am
Joe Stamm was back in the studio this week
May 15, 2026 @ 6:09 am
I have my eyes set on Tift Merritt’s new one SUGAR. She hasn’t released an album in nine years (2017’s STITCH OF THE WORLD) as she has been busy being a mother (a pretty damned important thing to be); but in my opinion she has been the best female singer to come along in this century, bar none, with her being able to combine her own original songwriting with the old-school country-rock of Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
Of course, I know Tift won’t get played on conventional country radio (she never has(, but, frankly Scarlett, I don’t give a damn (LOL).
May 15, 2026 @ 5:13 pm
Second that. Back in July of 2018 Trigger admitted that “Tift Merritt is long overdue for a dedicated article on Saving Country Music.” Eight years on, here’s a chance to settle that debt!
May 15, 2026 @ 6:24 am
I’m not sure where Stephen Wilson Jr sits in the country music world but I’d have to think he has a new one coming out by the end of the year. Also hoping we get a new album from Ian Noe.
May 15, 2026 @ 10:08 am
His label sent “Gary” to country radio and it’s been knocking around the lower reaches of the chart for a few months. It peaked at No. 36 on Mediabase last week and is now on the way down. Probably doesn’t matter to him since his sound is pretty far from mainstream, but you’d think there’d be an album out by now.
May 15, 2026 @ 6:26 am
Pumped for the Nathan Evans Fox album. The singles he’s released so far have been great. Sevindust is my song of the year so far – and it’s gonna be hard to dethrone, I think. Hillbilly Hymn is also fantastic. Worth checking out if you haven’t heard any of it yet.
May 15, 2026 @ 9:37 am
Huge fan, agreed.
Check out Coleman Jennings – those are my two favorite discoveries of the year.
May 21, 2026 @ 12:28 pm
Just checking in to say that Ride On got an audible “hell yeah” out of me shortly after the instrumentation started following the whistle intro. Appreciate the rec.
May 15, 2026 @ 6:32 am
Great work Trigger. Safe to say after 12 years of following you, you’re still my go to guy. Thanks for all the hard work.
May 15, 2026 @ 6:41 am
Thanks for reading Matt!
May 15, 2026 @ 11:30 am
I second that!
May 15, 2026 @ 6:36 am
Every time I scan theses lists hoping and praying Trig has some inside baseball on a Presley Haile album coming. And as always, it ends in sadness… Ty Smith and The Minor Offenses released a single today – hoping that’s a sign that a sophomore LP is coming.
I won’t set Trigger up to be skewered by the peanut gallery this time by begging him to review the Stones album coming out on 7/10, but take one listen to their leadoff single “Rough and Twisted” and tell me it wasn’t dug out of a vault from 1969. It is as nasty and bluesy and ripping as anything they were doing 50+ years ago. Wailing harp, dirty-as-sin slide guitar and Mick’s vocals are insane.
May 15, 2026 @ 8:15 am
I think the Stone’s choice to use AI to “de-age” them for the music video is a mistake. It gets them in the headlines which is maybe what they were going for, but considering the public sentiment towards AI content I could also see people writing the album off an not giving it a listen thinking it is AI-generated or something.
I bring this up only because I could see older Country artists watching the reaction to the Stones move with a close eye because if it works for them we are 1000% going to see other older artists copy that move in an (fool-hardy) attempt to regain relevance with younger fans
May 21, 2026 @ 12:48 pm
Shania might be the first to ape that. She was quick to embrace trends in her prime.
May 16, 2026 @ 10:09 am
Presley Haile becoming the Whitey Morgan of Ben Haggards and I’m not in the business so idk, but it’s just so odd how things work.
Somewhere out there there’s a portly record exec that played mosquito, and dog in the cold, and the cover of someday soon, and then buzzed the assistant “get me Ashley Cooke and the checkbook”.
Imma stay right in the yoke pulling her wagon ’bout hard as I can tho. Maybe tomorrow…
May 15, 2026 @ 8:18 am
Has anyone heard any rumors about new Isbell & the 400 Unit or Drive-By Truckers album(s) coming up? It’s been 4 years since a new DBT album and the last non-acoustic album from Isbell with his band was 2023 so one would think we are approaching where we might hear about new stuff in the works.
May 15, 2026 @ 9:08 am
DBT said one of their latest Instagram posts that they have been working on some other projects and doing some recording so probably not this year for them. I’m hoping for a a new Isbell and the 400 Unit record but I bet its next year at the earliest with him releasing the solo record last year.
May 15, 2026 @ 8:38 am
Thanks, Trigger!
I use these lists religiously. One of the many great services you offer to readers.
May 15, 2026 @ 8:39 am
River Shook self-titled June 26 – sounds great so far!
May 15, 2026 @ 9:38 am
Anyone know if Patrick Slade is gonna ever release an actual album? Is he even signed? He’s young, but man…great melodies, interesting voice and solid songwriting…
May 15, 2026 @ 10:27 am
Thanks for this. Hopefully Clovis gets re-released here soon.
May 15, 2026 @ 11:02 am
I cannot wait for the Charlie Marie record. Got so good ones to fill the void until then. Lots of good stuff on the horizon!
May 15, 2026 @ 1:40 pm
Angaleena Presley started teasing a new album on instagram the other day, FWIW
May 15, 2026 @ 2:16 pm
Lowdown Drifters released a live album this week as well.
For the life of me, I cannot comprehend how they are not bigger than they are. Great writing, Great Band, Great Voice (es with Raina). Big John has teased new music as well.
Shane Smith confirmed at BFO -2026 a new album and played a new song
May 15, 2026 @ 2:22 pm
Deer Tick – Coin-O-Matic – June 5th
May 15, 2026 @ 7:58 pm
Julieta Venegas — Nortena — May 14
I don’t know if anyone here is interested in this kind of music — I’m not really familiar with it. I found this on NPR. Per the article, Julieta Venegas is a big Latin pop star who decided to revisit her Northern Mexican roots with this album ‘Nortena’. (Sorry, I don’t know how to put the tilde over the n on my iPad.) I really enjoyed hearing her sing, although I have no idea what she was saying. If you’re interested, you can find her song “La Linea” on YouTube, or the NPR article.
May 16, 2026 @ 7:56 am
It feels like June 5 is going to be a massive release day. Not only all these country albums but the new Evanescence album is coming out that day and I’m looking forward to that. Might be one of those “here’s what is coming out” kind of articles for that day.
May 16, 2026 @ 8:00 am
Yes, will probably do another dedicated release article on the 5th as well. Very busy album cycles heading into the summer.
May 16, 2026 @ 1:43 pm
What were the rumours of a Felker solo album? Would be a surprising direction, given the hiatus must have been pretty hard on the careers and finances of the rest of the band
May 16, 2026 @ 6:01 pm
New Rob Baird is solid
May 17, 2026 @ 6:05 am
Was at the Trey Hensley show at the Lime Kiln Theater, where he debuted his electric band, and he claimed to have an album either ready or almost ready to go.
May 18, 2026 @ 12:52 pm
Holy Wow!
New Tift Merritt after nearly 10 years??? Maybe there’s hope for Zoe Muth too.
May 19, 2026 @ 7:33 pm
Punch Brothers have a new album titled “The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers” due out on July 24th!
May 20, 2026 @ 6:25 pm
What’s the deal with John R. Miller waiting six weeks to release an album digitally in today’s day and age? By the time it’s available digitally, it’ll be old news.
May 22, 2026 @ 7:07 am
Don’t forget Kip Moore ‘Reason to Believe’ comes out May 29th 🎉🎉
May 31, 2026 @ 5:04 am
Shinedown released their latest album on Friday and is getting some press that it includes county music. The 2 songs that they are referring to are “Outlaw” and “Searchlight” mainly due to steel guitar in the former and banjo and fiddle in the latter. At 1st, I didn’t hear it (being county music) but realized the issue is the vocals. As good of a vocalist Brent Smith is, he doesn’t sound country. Replace him with a different vocalist and the songs could be considerred country and even very good country. BTW, the album is quite good, but typical Shinedown and very much a rock album.
June 12, 2026 @ 8:33 am
American Aquarium ~ New Ways To Lose confirmed for release 26 June
June 19, 2026 @ 5:51 am
goodness…Billy Ray’s voice has not been kind to him as he aged, has it?
June 19, 2026 @ 9:14 am
Never heard of her before today but that Candace Hastings thing is sure fine, country as pan gravy best 30 minutes of my week, easy…
June 20, 2026 @ 9:15 am
This is invaluable. Lee Brice has pushed his album back to October, for reasons unknown.