Here we are in a moment in country music custom made for the neotraditional sounds of Midland, and here they are invoking the era in music when folk rock turned into mom rock on the easy listening station.
Billy Strings has taken bluegrass to the arena and beyond. And every time you believe he’s going to abandon the discipline or stretch it too far, he doubles down on his bluegrass roots like he does with “Highway Prayers.”
As self-deprecating and under-the-radar as JP Harris may be, he is no less than a living legend to a lot of the independent country performers in East Nashville and beyond, and to the handful of fervent fans he’s accrued.
Eliza Thorn offers a super tasty, diverse, enriching, and involved album for her official debut that shows off a wide array of influences and talents across a spectrum of roots music, fulfilling the appetite of the audience.
Clearly the death of his father inspired a dramatic recalibration of priorities for Chase Rice, and that is reflected in the songs of this album. It’s definitely more mature and meaningful than his earlier stuff.
‘The Last Frontier’ is quietly genius in its simplicity and efficiency. It feels like the best album that Reckless Kelly could squeeze out of themselves in this season of their career. And it feels like that deserves a slow clap.
She’s Miranda Lambert. And the argument can be made that Postcards from Texas is the most Miranda Lambert album that she’s made in years, swear words and all. This is who she is.
Well deep fry my okra. You want country? You damn well better, and bring your appetite, because Shawna Thompson is serving up heaping helpings of it. There’s no shrinkflation in twang happening here.
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.
George Strait did his duty, to God, to country, to family, and to country music. He owes us nothing more. Anything else is gravy. Yet he still takes moments to contribute like he does on “Cowboys and Dreamers.”
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.
Ritch Henderson is in touch with some of the most potent inspirations and experiences to allow him sing right from the soul in a way that separates his songs from the massive onslaught of new recorded music.
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
On her new album ‘Obsessed,’ it feels like Morgan Wade just trying to be Morgan Wade. It’s fair to warn country fans that this is not a country album as much as a singer/songwriter Americana album. It’s also the most Morgan Wade album yet.
The album captures some of Lainey Wilson’s most impassioned and soaring performances of her career. A lot of great songs and writing also grace these 14 tracks. It’s the production of Jay Joyce that’s disappointing.
This ravenesque honky tonk maven comes with a major dose of vintage Western vibes and just a hint of rockabilly to make it all feel dangerous, with songs that are fun, but aren’t afraid to speak to something deeper.
When rounding out the list of the greatest country music singers of our era, you better make sure Josh Turner is at or near the top of your survey or you’re rendering the entire exercise irrelevant and ill-informed.
It was a mixture of surprise, astonishment, and supreme happiness when someone reached out and said that Tony Martinez was finally releasing his debut album. Truth be told, Tony should probably be dead.
Ever since the release of Jamey Johnson’s last original album—2010’s The Guitar Song—fans have been eagerly awaiting new music from the 2-time CMA award-winning songwriter. It’s finally here.
Country music. No qualifiers, no hyphenated terms, no squinting to make an “Americana” act appear to be country just because they have a steel guitar in the band. With “A Country Song,” there are no hijinks, and no crazy tangents.
Even stone sober, Billy Strings and his band can take your mind places otherwise inaccessible under normal circumstances, opening up portals of enjoyment and understanding that is nothing short of life-altering.
Simply the title of this album feels ambitious. But not even this prepares you for what you’ll experience if you approach this album with an open mind, and as a linear work. Karen Jonas has released an exemplar take on the American concept record.
With his new six-song EP Tenkiller, Lance Roark steps out of the shadows of being a Turnpike Troubadours beneficiary. He also breaks out of the singer/songwriter shell to turn in a full-tilt Red Dirt rock experience
Life can be a pill. Music helps. If you’re looking for that one album that can allow you to lose yourself in Appalachian music bliss driven home by some of the most soulful lyrics around, 49 Winchester and ‘Leavin’ This Holler’ is beckoning.