Saving Country Music’s 2024 Essential Albums List
Welcome to Saving Country Music’s most comprehensive guide to music in a given year, The Essential Albums List. It begins with the first 21 albums that are deemed the “Most Essential.” These were albums right on the bubble of being named Album of the Year nominees. Then there is an additional list of albums that were reviewed in 2024, and deemed worthy of recognizing.
A few ground rules:
1. As always, suggestions of additional albums, lists of your essential albums, and opinions about this list are encouraged, and can be shared in the comments section below. Just please no “Hey, this list is entirely bunk because so and so wasn’t included!” or because “so and so WAS included.”
2. This does NOT include the Album of the Year Nominees since they’ve already had a spotlight shined on them through the nomination process. In the spirit of highlighting what was overlooked, they are not included here.
2024 Saving Country Music Album of the Year Nominees:
• Karen Jonas – The Rise and Fall of American Kitsch • Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers • Red Clay Strays – Made By These Moments • Emily Nenni – Drive & Cry • Shane Smith and the Saints – Norther • Kimmi Bitter – Old School • Jamey Johnson – Midnight Gasoline • Kaitlin Butts – Roadrunner • Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) – Passage Du Desir • Billy Strings – Highway Prayers • Silverada – Self-Titled • 49 Winchester – Leavin’ This Holler
3. There is no specific order to the list, aside from the first albums being considered the “Most Essential,” or albums that just missed the bubble to be considered Album of the Year nominees.
4. More albums will eventually end up on the Essential Albums List. More 2024 albums will be reviewed in the coming days into the first few weeks of January before 2025 releases start in earnest. Saving Country Music reviewed over 120 albums in 2024, so please no whining about was overlooked. Be thankful this free resource to music listeners continues to be offered every year.
MOST ESSENTIAL ALBUMS
MOST ESSENTIAL – Jesse Daniel – Countin’ The Miles
Jesse Daniel brings a loaded down Peterbilt’s worth of full-tilt twang to this one, and puts all worries about “wHaT’s HAppeNeD To TOdAyS COunTRY mUsIc!” to bed. You want country music? Listen to Jesse Daniel. If you ain’t country, you will be after giving this thing a spin.
Whatever deficit mainstream country has accrued in the twang department over the last 20 years, Countin’ The Miles darn near balances it out. Jesse Daniel the producer was patently unafraid to call for more twang and more twang until it might be scientifically impossible to fit any more into these tracks. Think that country music’s dead? That there hasn’t been anything good in 20 years? Well then you don’t know Jesse Daniel. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Pat Reedy – Make It Back Home
It’s the simplicity of Pat Reedy’s songs that’s the genius, not the sophistication. It’s the ease at which the melody and rhythms seep into your flesh that makes the music so immediately gratifying. And Pat Reedy delivers it all so confidently and assured because there’s no cosplay involved, and no insincerity to shield the audience from. He sings what he lives and he lives what he sings. Reedy is symbiotic with his music.
No doubt, the throwback, faraway sound of classic country is something lots of folks are picking up on these days, and some are finding great success with. But it comes more naturally to some performers, while others are more personally responsible for this influence rising from the ashes of what country music once was. Pat Reedy is one of those responsible parties, and Make It Back Home might be the best specimen of Pat Reedy music yet. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – JP Harris – JP Harris is a Trash Fire
JP Harris Is A Trash Fire isn’t as much of a kiss-off to the recording industry as it is Harris engaging in surprisingly deep reflection about the past loves of his life. Despite all the bluster and the tub of “heavy duty mayo” on the cover, the album finds numerous moments of eloquence, poeticism, and might we even say a rugged version of refinement.
Listeners are left rather stunned by the turns of phrase found in the album’s second song, “To The Doves.” Same goes for the sweet and subtle writing from Harris in the song “Write It All Down.” He throws a clinic here in how to craft a lyrical hook and wrap a chorus around it in a way that feels immediately reverberative and timeless. He might be a “trash fire,” but his flame of dogged resistance is an inspiration to many, and his new album adds to his varied and vital musical legacy. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Shawna Thompson – Lean On Neon
You really can’t emphasize enough just how hardcore country this album is, and across every single track. It’s so staunch and severe in it’s conviction to country music, this constitutes its own form of bold creative expression. There aren’t any of those silly country songs that call out pop country music. This album simply puts its foot down and declares adamantly, “This is country.”
But the story this album tells goes much deeper than the music. Shawna Thompson says, “Lean On Neon is the album I moved to Nashville to create. It just took a while.” This is the story of so many mainstream country music performers. Many never get the opportunity to make the album they moved to Nashville to make. Lucky for her and the rest of us, Shawna Thompson did, and made the most of it. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Joe Stamm – Allegheny EP
Steel your emotional equilibrium for the roller coaster of stimulus you’ll experience listening to this four-song gem that combines the songwriting prowess of Midwest musical superhero Joe Stamm, and the men that make the magic happen behind Charles Wesley Godwin, known collectively as The Allegheny High.
EPs are often treated like the alley dogs, the second-class citizens, the red-headed stepchildren of album releases, if only because they so often leave the audience unfulfilled. They’re a tease. But there’s a rare exception to that rule, and it’s often when four songs comprise such genius, they confer a true sense of completion. Allegheny is certainly one of those works. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Muscadline Bloodline – The Coastal Plain
Well look at this little duo from Alabama, blowing up on socials, getting a tap on the shoulder by Post Malone to open up on his arena tour, and releasing an album that some are saying is the best all year.
If you queue this band up and click shuffle, you could get a song that sounds like full tilt Southern rock, another that sounds like heartfelt singer-songwriter Americana, another that’s Appalachian folk, or one that’s Oklahoma Red Dirt, and it’s all written and performed with authority. Similarly, Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton find the Goldilocks zone in between the substance and soul of grassroots country, and the sensibility of mainstream level infectiousness. It’s quite the sinister and effective recipe they’ve stewed up here. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas
Charley Crockett’s career has been marked by releases of original albums, and albums of cover songs. But as he underscores on Visions of Dallas, he’s perhaps at his best when you get a mix of both. He’s just such a great interpreter of songs, it feels like sacrilege when he leaves this aspect of his music on the side.
Charley Crockett’s work ethic is admirable. He released two album in 2024. But it’s also his breadth of knowledge, his skill across roots disciplines, and a sincere passion he brings to the music that is in turn conferred upon the audience that makes him nearly peerless in the country and roots space, and a marvel of modern music. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Hannah Juanita – Tennessee Songbird
Hannah Juanita’s Tennessee Songbird allows you to fall in love with country music all over again. It’s like a love letter to country music. Press play, and let the waves of classic country twang and goodness wash over you in musical bliss. There’s nothing fancy going on here. Just tune up the Telecasters, fiddle, and steel guitar, jot some songs down that capture the timeless sentiments of country music and how it makes us all feel, and let the music do the rest.
Tennessee Songbird in many respects is about Hannah doubling down on her commitment to being a honky tonk singer, songwriter, and performer. Songs that affirm this life decision make up the heart of the album. When she sings, “Whether we listen or not, the songbird sings,” Hannah’s underscoring how she’s one of the folks who has no choice but to sing country music. It was what she was born to do. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – John Moreland – Visitor
Music might be marked by the presence of sound, but it’s the music of John Moreland that compels the hushing of everything else to allow the quietest and most reflective of moments to prevail. In an era when everyone is talking over each other, the beeps and pulsations of push notifications pursue us during every waking moment, and the loudest and most ostentatious are often rewarded with the public’s undivided attention, John Moreland is a mandate to be subdued, to unplug, to slow down, and to listen.
You get the sense that If Moreland was allowed, he would have released pure silence for one of the tracks to underscore his message. As he conveys in the song “The More You Say, The Less It Means,” it’s the economy of sounds and words that lends to more insight. It’s often the ambiguity of his messaging that gives it such stark impact, allowing each song to be what the beholder wants or needs it to be, as opposed to what Moreland decrees as the author. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – George Dearborne – Lotta Honky Tonkin’ Left In Me
You will immediately recognize George Dearborn’s new album Lotta Honky Tonkin’ Left In Me as the kind of traditional country music that immediately sits right with you, that reminds you of the greatness that country music used to be, and that sets you at ease knowing this timeless sound hasn’t been lost, but is still being deployed against bad livers and broken hearts.
As George Dearborne and Lotta Honky Tonkin’ Left In Me illustrate, making great country music isn’t rocket science. Get some great country songs, put the right pickers on them, and the magic ensues. In truth it’s probably a bit harder than that, but George Dearborne sure makes it sound easy, and as a country fan, Lotta Honky Tonkin’ Left In Me is easy to love. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – J.R. Carroll – Dark Cloud
Though Dark Cloud is officially J.R. Carroll’s first LP, he’s been releasing songs and EPs since 2020, helped along by being that guy behind the keyboard with a pony tail on the Zach Bryan tour. Though his songcraft has always been stout, who exactly J.R. Carroll the solo artist was seemed to be up in the air. Was he Oklahoma country? More of an Americana singer/songwriter? Or was he something else entirely?
Dark Cloud concludes that in many respects, J.R. Carroll is all of these things, and sometimes one right after the other. And though initially this can challenge your music brain to shift on the fly, what patient and open-minded listening reveals is that Carroll is less of a musical jack of all trades, and more a master of most, ultimately composing a compelling collection of songs that eventually blend together into quite an enjoyable experience. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Melissa Carper – Borned In Ya
On Borned In Ya, Melissa Carper leans into her strengths even more by worrying less about genre, and more about era, emphasizing what is quietly brilliant about her approach to songwriting, and placing her songs in the caring hands of producers Andrija Tokic and Dennis Crouch, along with musicians like Chris Scruggs, Billy Contreras, Jeff Taylor, and Rory Hoffman. It all comes together with enviable results.
This is the music you would expect to come floating out of the horn of an old Victrola rolling along the grooves of a 78rpm, ingratiating itself to a room furnished in crushed velvet. Borned In Ya immediately transports you back to a period where the roots of American music hadn’t exactly formed separate genres just yet, and the corrosive touch of technology was decades away from interfering with the pureness of human expressions. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Jesse Welles – Hells Welles
In one song after another, and in one verse after another, Jesse Welles stuns with his cutting criticism interwoven with sarcasm addressing today’s current events. From the War in Gaza, to the fentanyl crisis, to the obesity epidemic, Xanax, modern slavery, even more recent events like the Boeing whistleblowers and the revelations about Nickeloden, Welles loads up and unleashes, all served through his cracked and raspy voice that may not be the sweetest sound you’ve ever heard, but makes the words feel that more impactful and foreboding.
The greatest art always reflects the era in which it is expressed. And right now, nobody is expressing the fear, anger, alarm, and frustration we all feel better than Jesse Welles. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Wyatt Flores – Welcome To The Plains
The best songwriters of a given time are often the ones predisposed to emotional vulnerability. Their empathy is not performative, and their expressions don’t simply rest on the surface. They feel things on a deeper level. They’re emotional conduits that have the capability of communicating what we all feel better than we do to ourselves. Wyatt Flores is definitely blessed and cursed with this quality.
Welcome To The Plains is a songwriter album first, but finds very sensible country instrumentation throughout, with rock flourishes indicative of the Red Dirt influences helping to color Wyatt’s music. This isn’t a straight country record, but is more country than it is anything else, with fiddle and steel guitar prominent in the mix. It would be ingratiating to praise Welcome To The Plains as Wyatt’s big breakout moment. But in truth that’s already happened. It’s more about establishing this young songwriter as no fleeting commodity. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Pony Bradshaw – Thus Spoke The Fool
Shirking the stereotype that all country and roots music is cornpone and pithy—and that the American South in general is a culturally-bereft refuse pile of uncultured slack jawed yokels—North Georgia-native Pony Bradshaw has made it his personal conquest to reconstruct the romantic notions of the Southern vernacular, and use it to grace music whose audience will spill well beyond the region’s borders.
In this pursuit, Pony Bradshaw issues his latest album, and the third in a trilogy inspired by his home in north Georgia. Pony employs vocabulary that is vaguely familiar like a fading memory to construct stories, characters, and perhaps an underlying narrative that connects them all. The result compels the audience and rises nostalgia in the blood similar to other forms of country and roots music, but not through the conventional modes that utilize shortcuts and gimmicks to achieve this goal. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Lance Roark – Tenkiller
Lance Roark steps out of the shadows of being a Turnpike Troubadours beneficiary and asserts himself as a solo artist and frontman. He also breaks out of the singer/songwriter shell to turn in a full-tilt Red Dirt rock experience that if nothing else earns your attention and repeated listens from energetic performances and strong melodic prowess.
Tenkiller finds a favorably cohesive sound to present its six songs in, but there is also plenty of latitude in between the tracks. “Big Bad Heart” is a great mid-tempo country song with the fiddle doing much of the instrumental work. By the time you get to the ending song “American Heartbreak,” you’re in full fledged rock territory. This was an album written and recorded to make a strong impression when you see Lance Roark live, and after seeing him in the flesh, it’s safe to say that objective is fulfilled. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Jonathan Peyton – Nothing Here’s The Same
Where other songwriters mix in some sunny moments with the weighty ones, Jonathan Peyton stays underwater for the entirety of the 12 tracks of Nothing Here’s The Same. The album is an example of using art to process through grief and trauma in ways that can be effective for the artist, and the audience. Peyton taps into the dark recesses of our repressed memories in a way that may feel uncomfortable for some, but ultimately is unburdening for many.
For some, this album might be a little too heavy to be enjoyed cover to cover. But Peyton firmly places himself in the community of country and Americana’s strong contemporary songwriters creating an alternative to the mainstream, writing songs that don’t just distract from our demons and internal dilemmas, but address them. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Ty Smith & The Minor Offenses – Self-Titled
Forget being ahead of his time at 16. On his debut album, Ty Smith laps dudes twice or thrice his age in maturity and insight with the songs he presents. He then delivers it all with a voice that might not be whiskey soaked and put away wet, but it’s plenty well-seasoned and perfect for this kind of country music. Meanwhile, the musical accompaniment and arrangement is exactly what you want. It’s just a little moody and dark with some Red Dirt rock tones. But overall, it’s unapologetically country.
From Sand Springs, Oklahoma just outside of Tulsa, Ty Smith has already played opening slots for bigger artists, and notable venues like The Mercury Lounge. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the world wakes up to him, and the future of Red Dirt and traditional country finds its next star. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – The Droptines – Self-Titled
For those looking for something a little more offbeat in nature, count yourself lucky if the debut album from The Droptines lands in your lap. This is a genuine alt-country work, meaning that it’s an amalgamation of country, rock, blues, and folk influences. It’s more indicative of the late 90s or early 2000s when alt-country was hitting its stride before it got folded into “Americana,” and the music lost much of its guts.
This self-titled album is an exploration into impulse control and the facing of moral conundrums, and often failing to fall on the right side of these decisions. Sex, drugs, and booze are regularly referenced in these songs as the protagonist pinballs between loose relationships, lapses from sobriety, and regular bouts of self-loathing. The watery effect on the vocals adds to the murky vibe this music emotes. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Ben Vallee – Introducing…
If you’re a fan of genuine throwback classic country music, you’ll find very little to fuss about, and lots to favor in the songs of steel guitar player turned frontman Ben Vallee’s debut album aptly titled Introducing… As it says on the back cover, it’s “Something so old it sounds new.”
You’d expect the steel guitar throughout Introducing… to be stellar since that’s Ben Vallee’s primary discipline, and you would be right. It’s the level of songwriting that leaves you downright shocked. You can tell time and study went into composing these tracks to be both mindful of the traditions of classic country, while also presenting something relevant to present-day ears. Then as a steel guitarist, Vallee can leverage his own more personal understanding of the melody and lyrics to make the most ideal musical accompaniment. (read review)
MOST ESSENTIAL – Zach Top – Cold Beer & Country Music
There is perhaps no better sign of this country resurgence than the surging popularity of 25-year-old Zach Top. It’s not that traditional throwback ’90s-sounding artists haven’t been around for years. Many of the original artists from the ’90s are still going strong and releasing good music too. But with Zach, his music has caught fire like he’s the next new thing, even though his sound is older than he is.
Perhaps mostly importantly though, Cold Beer & Country Music is just the start, for both Zach Top, and where country music is headed overall amid a traditional resurgence. We’ve seen traditionalists pop up over the years. But few have captured the sound of traditional country so purely, along with the attention of the public so keenly as Zach Top. With the way things are headed, it feels like only a matter of time before Zach and traditional country both end up on Top in country music. (read review)
ESSENTIAL ALBUMS LIST
*Remember, Album of the Year nominees are not included on this list.
• Tris Munsick & the Innocents – Big Medicine Moon – (review)
• Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms – Gold In Your Pocket – (review)
• Taylor Hunnicutt – Alabama Sound – (review)
• Benjamin Tod – Shooting Star – (review)
• George Strait – Cowboys and Dreamers – (review)
• Sweet Meg – Bluer Than Blue – (review)
• The Mavericks – Moon & Stars – (review)
• Willie Nelson – The Border – (review)
• Corb Lund – El Viejo – (review)
• Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy – (review)
• Hayes & The Heathens – Self-Titled – (review)
• Alice Wallace – Here I Am – (review)
• Ben Jarrell – A Country Song – (review)
• Cody Jinks – Change The Game – (review)
• Wonder Women of Country – Willis, Carper, and Leigh – (review)
• Ellis Bullard – Honky Ton Ain’t Noise Pollution – (review)
• Addison Johnson – Dangerous Men – (review)
• Josh Turner – This Country Music Thing – (review)
• Red Shahan – Loose Funky Texas Junky – (review)
• American Aquarium – The Fear of Standing Still – (review)
• Randall King – Into The Neon – (review)
• Willi Carlisle – Critterland – (review)
• Jeff Crosby – Another Pedal Falls Off of the Rose – (review)
• India Ramey – Baptized by the Blaze – (review)
• Matt Castillo- Pushing Borders – (review)
• Sarah Shook & The Disarmers – Revelations – (review)
• Luke Combs – Fathers & Sons – (review)
• Ritch Henderson – Alive in Alabama – (review)
• Megan Moroney – Am I Okay? – (review)
• The Lowdown Drifters – In Time – (review)
• Cody Johnson – Leather (Deluxe Edition) – (review)
• West of Texas – Hot Motel Nights – (review)
• Miranda Lambert – Postcards From Texas – (review)
• Alex Key – Outdated – (review)
• The Deslondes – Roll It Out – (review)
• Sentimental Family Band – Sweethearts Only – (review)
• Cody Jinks – Cody Jinks Sings Lefty Frizzell – (review)
• Tony Martinez – Everywhere West – (review)
• Carly Pearce – Hummingbird – (review)
• Tyler-James Kelly – Dream River – (review)
• Reckless Kelly – The Last Frontier (review)
• Tylor and the Train Robbers – Hum of the Road – (review)
• Scotty McCreery – Rise & Fall – (review)
• The Castellows – A Little Goes A Long Way – (review)
• Sarah Gayle Meech – Easin’ On – (review)
• Chasen Wayne – Strange Places – (review)
• Dwight Yoakam – Brighter Days – (review)
• Hudson Westbrook – Self-Titled – (review)
• Swamp Dogg – Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St. – (review)
• Jayce Turley – Broke Down – (review)
• Luke Grimes – Self-Titled – (review)
• Kelsey Waldon – There’s Always A Song – (review)
• Eliza Thorn – Somebody New – (review)
• Death-Defying Adventures of the Franklin County Trucking Company – (review)
• Morgan Wade – Obsessed – (review)
• Maja Francis – Hello Cowboy – (review)
• Blaine Bailey – Home (ᎣᏪᏅᏒ) – (review)
• Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1 – (review)
• Bo Outlaw & Løiten Twang Depot – Bars-Brunettes-Big Rigs – (review)
• Lindi Ortega – From The Ether – (review)
• Brady Lux – Ain’t Gone So Far – (review)
• Blackberry Smoke – Be Right Here – (review)
• Shawn Hess – Wild Onion – (review)
• Ags Connolly – Your Pal Slim: Songs of James Hand – (review)
• Chase Rice – Go Down Singin’ – (review)
• Wyatt Flores – Half Life – (review)
• Casper McWade – Something for the Pain – (review)
• Kiely Connell – My Own Company – (review)
• Brent Amaker and the Rodeo – Philophobia – (review)
• Colby T. Helms – Tales of Misfortune – (review)
• Oliver Anthony – Hymnal of a Troubled Man’s Mind – (review)
• Zach Bryan – The Great American Bar Scene – (review)
• Jack McKeon – Talking To Strangers – (review)
• Ernest – Nashville, Tennessee – (review)
• Bridge City Sinners – In The Age of Doubt – (review)
• Willie Nelson – Last Leaf On The Tree – (review)
• Steel Saddle – Self-Titled – (review)
• Noeline Hoffman – Purple Gas
• John PayCheck – More Days Behind
• Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood
…more to come
OTHER ALBUMS RECEIVING POSITIVE REVIEWS:
Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind – (review)
Post Malone – F1 Trillion – (review)
Sam Barber – Restless Mind – (review)
Midland – Barely Blue – (review)
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well – (review)
Riley Green – Don’t Mind If I Do – (review)
Other Reviewed Albums:
Brooks & Dunn – Reboot II – (review)
Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken – (review)
Paul Cauthen – Black On Black – (review)
Shaboozey – Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going – (review)
December 30, 2024 @ 9:15 am
I’ve had a lot of folks asking where they can see all the past winners, nominees, and Essential Albums Lists from previous years. You can find all that info in one place at this link:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/best-of-lists/
There is also a button for it on Desktop mode in the ride sidebar of the website, and beneath the latest articles on mobile that’s there all the time.
December 31, 2024 @ 7:41 am
Hoping Lance Cowan’s debut album, “So Far, So Good” is in your pile for review consideration for Best of 2024. His new album, “Against The Grain” will be released March 21st. A great second chapter story, just sayin’…
December 31, 2024 @ 2:51 pm
Look at past albums and nominees triggers a sense of nostalgia. A lot of time on this site and remembering where I was listening to these albums.
Thanks for the resource trigger. This site means a lot to me and is a daily read. I’ve seen a lot of country music blogs come and go since I started digging deeper in 2011. I know it’s tough keeping this thing going.
December 30, 2024 @ 9:18 am
Great list. Glad to see my favorite is the year, El Viajo, get recognition. Also interesting to see multiple albums with obvious Turnpike influences included. Hope to see those guys release an album of the year quality CD soon.
Also, am I missing a playlist with the single of the year songs, or does one not exist?
December 30, 2024 @ 9:24 am
There is a Spotify playlist with all the Song of the Year and Single of the Year nominees here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6tkOBYubmfFD9pNbsujSYz?si=632fa97100bb4d6b
Also, will have some news on potential new Turnpike Troubadours music coming up in the “Most Anticipated Albums” article going up in a day or two.
December 30, 2024 @ 9:41 am
So much good music. It really is amazing.
I am glad Ellis Bullard – Honky Ton Ain’t Noise Pollution got some love.
An enjoyable catchy album that keeps spinning for me.
December 30, 2024 @ 9:48 am
Great collection and sad I really can’t get anywhere close to actually listening to all these. Just grateful for the ones on here that have grabbed me and gotten my attention this year like Blaine Bailey and Matt castillo’s album. The American aquarium album has continued to grow on me with messy as a magnolia, Cherokee purples, curse of growing old, and head down feet moving entering my canon as among their best songs. Not crier though BJ Barnham seems to think that’s the hit from the album.
Muscadine bloodline also tremendous. Weirdly though I have seemingly developed this block with Jesse Daniel. Rollin On is absolutely one of my all time favorite albums ever but somehow none of his other albums have hit for me the same way. It’s felt like the sound has been slightly off and the songwriting a bit weaker. Or maybe I’m just nuts it’s just that album is so perfect everything else has been off by comparison for me.
December 30, 2024 @ 9:49 am
Most essential:
Chris Gantry – The Outlaw Bible
Kris Kristofferson wrote The Pilgrim, Chapter 33 about the legendary Chris Gantry, who now sings about Kris on his song The Narrow Path. Gantry makes clear what it means to be outlaw. ‘It ain’t about a gunfight, it’s about living right’, he sings. Some artists should know: it’s about respect.
David Rodriguez & The Rhythm Chiefs – Rise And Shine
Respected by Butch Hancock and Lucinda Williams this songwriter from Texas lived in the Netherlands the last thirty years of his life. He recorded this in 2015 with a Dutch band. They shelved this because he died soon after the recordings. Good thing it was finally releases. It’s his best album.
Joe Ely – Driven To Drive
Due to some health issues Joe Ely doesn’t tour anymore. But he’s still restless. Driven To Drive is about being on the road, that’s where he has been most of his life. Joe Ely has been my favorite musician since 1978. He released Honky Tonk Masquerade that year. Best album ever!
December 30, 2024 @ 10:41 am
John, I’ll bet you could help me with this. I saw Joe Ely play in 2005 or possibly 2004 at the Marble Falls Music Festival. He was the headline and played as a duo with one other musician. Who do you think that might have been? I ask because it was an outstanding show. I may have been a little drunk or probably would have remembered the other performer.
Brandon Jenkins (RIP), James McMurtry, and Mary Gauthier were some of the other performers. It was a fantastic event and a shame it was discontinued.
December 30, 2024 @ 10:43 am
To clarify, “the duo with one other musician” was redundant. What I meant to say was a duo with no backing band. It was rowdy for a two person performance!
December 30, 2024 @ 12:27 pm
Was the other musician playing accordion? If so, it must’ve been Joel Guzman. By the way, Joe Ely has always given more than 100 percent as a performer. That’s why the guys from The Clash liked him so much!
December 30, 2024 @ 12:53 pm
Yes sir. He was rocking out on that accordion. It was one of the best live performances I have ever seen. Thank you!!
December 30, 2024 @ 9:59 am
Not part of this article but curious trigger if you’d made a page in the past or would in the future of some of the best books about country music. About moments, events, or biographies. Just finished Johnny cash’s book and loved it. Got Merle and Waylon’s on the way.
December 30, 2024 @ 11:04 am
I have never done anything like that, but probably should. I tend to favor autobiographies, and don’t read much else. In fact I’m re-reading Johnny Cash’s as we speak. I know performers like to lie about themselves, but I’d rather get the info straight from the horse’s mouth and decide on my own.
December 30, 2024 @ 3:23 pm
I’m the same way in every genre, I try to take most of what they say with a grain of salt. It’s still nice to hear stories of the road and their recollections, at least in Johnny’s case. But I wasn’t sure if there were any good ones out there as far as old stories or moments in time. I hope Marty Stuart writes a book one day, or a couple. About his life and maybe one about old stories he’s heard along his way.
December 31, 2024 @ 7:08 pm
I’m partial to Willie’s biography by Joe Nick Patoski, “Whisperin’ Bill” by Bill Anderson, and “Johnny’s Cash and Charley’s Pride” by Peter Cooper. Oddly, I have a copy of “The Hag” and I’ve never even began it.
December 30, 2024 @ 10:11 am
Thanks for including us! Honored to be on here with such amazingly talented artists!
Jim – The Franklin County Trucking Company
December 30, 2024 @ 10:23 am
Great list. Thanks for that. That’s consistent with your reviews from this year.
Five outstanding albums from this year that have strangely been almost completely overlooked are “Mind, Man, Medicine” by the Secret Sisters, “Hello Stranger” by Taylor Grace, “Polaroid Lovers” by Sarah Jarosz, “I Built A World” by Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and “Dear Life” by Brenna MacMillan.
– Not all of it is “pure” country music. Some of it goes in the singer/songwriter direction or is very bluegrass-oriented. But a lot of other things that are called “country music” aren’t pure country music either.
December 30, 2024 @ 11:05 am
This is a great list and resource.
One album I overlooked when it came out, but discovered late in the year and have been listening on repeat is:
Abby Webster – Livin’ by the Water.
With the right promotion this album would have been on a lot of year end lists. It sounds fantastic, and has no skips. Suprisingly mature/complete record from an up and coming artist. Its like if you infused the great waxahatchee record with a little bluegrass.
December 30, 2024 @ 11:22 am
This has been a great year for lots of great music,
December 30, 2024 @ 12:55 pm
I would move Benjamin Tod, Ellis Bullard, Addison Johnson, Blaine Bailey and Ben Jarrell up to the albums of the year tier. Then I would nearly swap all the most essentials with the albums of the year in my tiers. Agree on all of these albums making the year end list just in different tiers than currently placed. I know that doesn’t make sense to anyone but me but that’s just what i enjoyed and listened to the most.
I will say I feel Karen Jonas has the best put together album when listening to albums in their entirety and that the red clay straws just aren’t country enough for me to win album of the year despite it being a very good album.
December 30, 2024 @ 3:08 pm
I think that makes sense. Music is subjective. That’s the reason I try to broaden the field with this list so everyone can find something they might like, and/or have their tastes represented.
December 30, 2024 @ 5:06 pm
Thank you Trigger for the ridiculous amount of reviews you compose every year. This comprehensive list at the end of the year is an amazing resource.
My favorite albums of 2024:
1. Kaitlin Butts-Roadrunner!
2. Casper McWade-Something for the Pain
3. Kimmi Bitter-Old School
4.Shawna Thompson-Lean On Neon
5. Benjamin Tod-Shooting Star
6. Muscadine Bloodline- The Coastal Plain
7. Taylor Hunnicutt- Alabama Sound
8. The Castellows- A Little Goes a Long Way
9. Cody Jinks- Change the Game
10. Sierra Ferrell- Trail of Flowers
11. India Ramey- Baptized by the Blaze
12. Miranda Lambert- Postcards From Texas
13. Tris Munsick- Big Medicine Moon
14. Sentimental Family Band- Sweethearts Only
15. Matt Castillo-Pushing Borders
December 30, 2024 @ 1:51 pm
How cool is it to see the likes of Willie, King George, Dwight, and even Miranda on the same list with newcomers like The Castellows, Taylor H. and Ty Smith for essential albums of the year? Seeing this list reminded me how much I liked Blaine Bailey’s and Lance Roark’s albums on first listen and that I need to get back to them. Coming out of Texas this year Wade’s “Flyin’” was my hands down favorite album. Casey Donahew’s “Never Not Love You” could have used a haircut at 17 songs but there’s some good stuff on there with “Green in Colorado” being one of my favorite songs of 2024.
December 30, 2024 @ 3:00 pm
This is a comprehensive list. Well thought out, with some great choices. I’d also recommend Out In La La Land by Martha Spencer. She puts an Appalachian honky-tonk spin on country music. 2 songs are standouts: La La Land and Abducted By Your Love. Check it out on all the platforms.
December 30, 2024 @ 4:07 pm
I really think Joe Stamm should’ve been an album of the year contender. I think the fact that’s it’s just an EP probably kept it out of contention so I get it. Great list though Trigger.
December 30, 2024 @ 4:18 pm
One of my favorite albums of 2024 was the Bridge City Sinners, your Halloween album, which I first learned about here. Otherwise…amazingly comprehensive list as always.
December 30, 2024 @ 4:22 pm
My 2nd favorite album of 2024 wasn’t country, … it’s more blues & Americana. It was “TexiCali” by Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
December 30, 2024 @ 4:38 pm
Great list. I totally agree that the second album by charley crockett is the best of the two though both are great. I also liked the tris munsick album getting some love even though i believe its higher tier. Ive listened to the whole album multiple times which other than crockett and some exceptions i dont usually do. I also still think luke combs album deserves more and to me is the best album of the year and its not too close. But still a great job trigger, always fun to check out your lists.
December 30, 2024 @ 6:51 pm
Great list Trigger, and of course all my fav albums of the year are listed here and SCM is my main source for finding the diamonds in the rough. Thank-you Trigger for the amazing work you’re doing.
For me in no particular order it’s:
49 Winchester
Jonathan Peyton
Cody Jinks
Pat Reedy
Silverado
The Red Clay Strays
J.R. Carroll
Ben Chapman
Colby Acuff
December 30, 2024 @ 10:33 pm
As I drive around all day I have listened to most of the albums here,and a ton more.Great list and I always have a hard time picking which album is my favorite as I might change my mind the next day and again the day after.
Two albums I really enjoyed this year that haven’t been mentioned(and probably aren’t everbody’s cup of tea) are : Kala’e – These Islands which is an album that just made me happy listening to it. And second we have a ‘local’ talent : Nienke Dingemans – Ain’t No Hollywood Girl.It’s not pure country,but I enjoyed the album alot.
December 31, 2024 @ 2:49 am
There is quite a lively exchange here about the classification of EPs. I find that interesting.
A number of artists, especially young new artists, like to release EPs.
In addition to the EPs mentioned here (“A Little Goes A Long Way”, “Allegheny”, “In Time”), among others, Wyatt Flores (“Half Life”), Noeline Hoffman (“Purple Gas”), Ole 60 (“Songs About You”), Kat Hasty (“Treehouse Sessions”) and Gabriella Rose (“Wait ‘Til I Get My Money Up”) released excellent EPs.
These artists seem to view EPs as an art form in their own right and don’t release the songs as an album or single.
Of course, songs from EPs can also be labeled as “Songs of the Year”. But does this do justice to the EPs as independent works?
The problem of the classification of the “EP” format becomes clear in this year’s releases from the Castellows: “A Little Goes A Long Way”, which was released in February, is practically a mini-album with seven songs. The excellent EP “Alabama Stone”, which was released in December, is a kind of maxi single with three songs. Both releases don’t really fit into the album or single category.
Wouldn’t a separate list for EPs make sense, or would there not be enough EPs overall?
December 31, 2024 @ 7:11 am
I’m thinking Nicolette and the Nobodies debut deserves a spot here. It is hard rocking and definitely country.
And of course steel saddle debut which is AOTY in my mind.
December 31, 2024 @ 7:20 am
I’m glad that Alice Wallace got a shout-out here for HERE I AM, since, even though she recorded her album inside Nashville, she still maintains that California-based sensibility that also informed her 2019 album INTO THE BLUE, the influences of Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. As I said before, I knew it wouldn’t get a whole lot of airplay because she wasn’t Lainey Wilson or Miranda Lambert. But what it is is authentically Alice; and as Linda once said: “You don’t have to be original, just authentic.”
December 31, 2024 @ 9:14 am
Don’t know how I missed the Droptines when originally featured, but grateful to this list for putting them on my radar. This is exactly my style of “country” music. A great late year find that sweeps me back 25 years.
December 31, 2024 @ 9:30 am
Great list, Trig. Lots on here that I missed and will need to explore. I think you mean “2024 Saving Country Music Album of the Year Nominees.” You wrote “2023.”
December 31, 2024 @ 10:23 am
Thank you for NOT including Beyonce on this list! Whew.
December 31, 2024 @ 11:00 am
Kayla Ray put out a great album in The World’s Weight.
June was pretty busy, lotsa folks missed it.
“Likes to drink alone” and “No. 9 diesel” – wonderful.
January 1, 2025 @ 10:29 am
Thanks for pointing out the new Kayla Ray album, I love her and hadn’t seen that! Great as usual. What a voice!
January 1, 2025 @ 8:36 am
You know, for as diverse as this list is, sometimes you just need some terrific Texas country, which is why I’m kind of astounded that “Flyin” by Wade Bowen was just not covered here this year. Easily his best solo record with his production taking a considerable leap and his writing sharp as ever, I do understand how it might have been lost in the shuffle, but it really was so damn consistently strong, it deserves more flowers.
January 1, 2025 @ 12:18 pm
Between this article and the comments ya’ll have pretty much covered everything but I would urge everyone to check out Dustin Kensrue – Desert Dreaming.
I don’t know much about the dude other than he’s the vocalist for the Rock band Thrice although his solo material is of the singer/songwriter variety. A friend turned me onto him and I was very impressed. I know, I know…another guy coming in from a different world but I promise you it absolutely destroys the Post Malones and Beyonces of the world and is in my opinion, one of the best country albums of the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv9nZ95wgKE
January 5, 2025 @ 7:45 am
My wife and I danced to his song, “Pistol” at our wedding in 2007. That whole EP was good but i can’t recall the title. I will definitely check this new one out. Cheers
January 12, 2025 @ 9:43 am
Hope you enjoy it!
January 1, 2025 @ 9:37 pm
I would add Polaroid Lovers by Sarah Jaroscz and December Last Call by Driftwood
January 5, 2025 @ 7:40 am
“Silently, The Mind Breakd” by William Elliott Whitmore is really good. His best since Field Songs. “Darkness Comes” and “A Golden Door to an Empty Place” are my favorite songs on there
January 5, 2025 @ 12:23 pm
I visit SCM often and have found it one of the best places to discover artists that are unique and genuine. 2024 didn’t have a lot of Country that I liked and unfortunately Zach Top nor Sierra Ferrell weren’t on my list at all. My favorite Country, or Country Adjacent, album was Michael Cloud Duguay’s “Succeeder”. He doesn’t appear to be on SCM’s radar at all as far as I can tell.
You can check him out on bandcamp. His older albums are under Michael C. Duguay and are equally excellent. I hope you give him a listen.