The Best Country & Roots Albums of 2023 So Far

As we reach the halfway pole of the musical year, it’s time to reflect back on the best albums that have been released so far.
As we reach the halfway pole of the musical year, it’s time to reflect back on the best albums that have been released so far.
It is a spirited competition among country and Americana songwriters right now to pen the most devastating heartbreak songs possible. Leave it to Kentucky duo Sunday Best to buck this trend and attempt to swim upstream by embracing the positivity of life.
The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right here, right now in country and roots music. It’s available on most all streaming formats, or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations.
Congratulations, you made it to 2023. And now it’s time to take a look forward at what country music may have in store for the new year. If we’re being honest, the beginning of 2023 looks very thin when it comes to the amount of confirmed releases and big projects. But don’t worry.
The tornadoes that ravaged large swaths of Western Kentucky on December 10th struck at the very heart of country music’s heartland, and what’s become the launching point for the current country music revolution led very much by artists from Kentucky.
As good as Kentucky has been over the last few years birthing great music, apparently it’s still been holding out on us, at least when it comes to Jordan Allen and the Bellwethers. Consider it Southern rock, with the latitude to slip in a few country songs.
As for the music, the Red Fest lineup was built on good intentions. Big names like Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, and Lynyrd Skynyrd were billed alongside lesser-known bands from the local and national landscape like Hellbound Glory, The Whiskey Sisters, and Bri Bagwell. Instead of segregating independent and mainstream music, integrating it.
Sundy Best ended up being just crazy enough to work; a unique approach that struck a chord in this very time and place to help define what is relevant instead of trying to follow it. And similarly with other bands of young men out to have a good time first and letting the business of music follow, the honest, good time and heartfelt approach to their music is quite infectious with their fans.