JAMIEE HARRIS
SONGS:
I Love America Better Than You - Aaron Lee Tasjan
This has been a highlight for me in Aaron's live shows for years. I am so glad it's finally out there to hear whenever I want.
Other Girls - Leslie Mendelson
This song is just so cool. Great music video, too. I had it on repeat for weeks in March.
You've Got A Shine - Jim Lauderdale
I love Jim Lauderdale. I'm super fond of this Game Changers era. They're one of my favorite live bands.
Lucky Strike - Valley James
You might not know Valley James yet, but I'm betting it won't be long before she's a household name. Her voice is extraordinary and I love what she has to say in her songs.
The Relic Song - Creekbed Carter Hogan
The folk song about the Catholic relic trade we didn't know we needed.
ALBUMS:
Kim Richey - Every New Beginning
This year blessed us with a new Kim Richey record...and it is perfection. "A Way Around" is probably my most played song of the year.
Amyl and The Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness
The TikTok algorithm actually hipped me to this band and I'm so grateful. This is currently my favorite band. 70's style punk rock from Australia.
Alden Derek & Shannon Sheridan - What's Your Favorite Scary Movie?
I am a superfan of horror. When I'm not making music, I'm either watching or reading horror. I genuinely love this comedic, horror-focused album. The highlights for me are LONGLEG’S and Girl in My TV.
Stars - Set Yourself on Fire (20th Anniversary Edition)
Set Yourself on Fire is one of my desert island records, so I was thrilled when Stars announced the 20th Anniversary edition of this album. It did not disappoint.
Various Artists - Can't Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney
David Olney is one of my favorite songwriters. I've known about this tribute album for a while and have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. Wow, did they knock it out of the park. I love what every artist brought to this stunning collection of some of the greatest songs ever written. I'm particularly fond of Afton Wolfe's "Titanic."
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore - TexiCali
I'm so fond of this combo. This is my favorite live band. They rock. The songs are perfection. I'm particularly fond of "Borderland" and "Blind Owl."
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland Studios
We got a new Gillian Welch album this year. We needed it and we are not worthy. "Hashtag" makes me cry every time. Every. Single. Time.
Nick Cave - Wild God
Every year Nick Cave puts out an album it makes my favourites list. A cinematic, poetic masterpiece.
Chappell Roan - The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Like everyone else on the planet with ears, I am obsessed with Chappell Roan.
T Bone Burnett - The Other Side
This year, we got T Bone the artist again and it is a gift. I also recommend his three interviews on the Buddy & Jim show. So, moving.
RETRO
Madison Cunningham - Revealer
I spent my summer diving back into this Madison Cunningham album. I find it so comforting.
Pops Staples -World in the Motion
I heard this in a cafe in Tilburg, NL. Somehow, I missed this Pops Staples song (and the album Peace to the Neighborhood). I've had it on heavy repeat. Deeply moving lyrics, perfect tone, and backing vocals from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. Once again...we are not worthy.
KAITLIN BUTTS
Chappell Roan - Midwest Princess
Ella Langley - Hungover
Maggie Antone - Rhinestoned
Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers
Wyatt Flores - Welcome To The Plains
Sabrina Carpenter - Short n Sweet
MISS TESS
I've been enjoying the new Deslondes album"Roll it Out"
LOUIEN (LIVE MIRANDS SOLBERG)
What I’ve been listening to in 2024:
Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well
I’ve been a huge fan of KM since the release of Golden Hour in 2018, that record got me through some rough days and reminded me of all the beauty this world actually holds. Deeper Well has become a steady companion throughout 2024, she’s one of those rare musicians who can write songs with depth and joy, melancholy and gratefulness.
Julia Logan
I just discovered this amazing artist, based out of Sweden and South Carolina, a few months ago. I just love her songwriting, her soft, fierce voice and her overall sound. My current favourite song of hers is Top of the World, it’s new and fresh, but also reminds me so much of Carole King.
Maggie Rogers - Don’t Forget Me
This song is perfection. Just pure, simple, amazing songwriting. I must have listened to it a million times since it was released earlier this year! My first listen was on the subway, tears streaming down my face, the lyrics just really hit home.
DEAN OWENS
It’s been strange and at times a very difficult year for me. A lot of the year has been taking up with dealing with my late mother’s ill health (she sadly passed away at the end of August) and all the sadness and stress that goes with that. On my many trips back and forth from visiting with her in Edinburgh, from where I now live in the Scottish Borders I did listen to an awful lot of music. A constant companion through these journeys was the late, great Tom Petty. Honestly, his music has helped me so much through some very dark days. I don’t think there have been many days at all over the past few months where I haven’t listened to him. The albums I’ve probably listened to most are Wildflowers, Into The Great Wide Open and Full Moon Fever.
Another big discovery for me this year has been the wonderful music of Rory Gallagher. Of course I’ve been aware of him for many, many years, but I just haven’t ever paid his music a lot of attention. That changed this year and I’ve really enjoyed diving into his back catalogue. There are so many great songs and brilliant performances. An obvious choice would be the album Tattoo, but there’s also a beautiful song of his called Wheels Within Wheels which I’ve listened to over and over again.
Out of the newer releases I’ve really enjoyed the Waxahatchee record Tigers Blood and a couple of my friends have released lovely albums – Danny and The Champions Of The World and Miracle Mile. I’ve also enjoyed the latest John Moreland, Jeffrey Foucault, Will Kimbrough and Max Richter records.
Another older artist I’ve listened to a lot this year is the late Alan Hull, from the band Lindisfarne. He wrote so many beautiful songs.
I’ve spent a lot of this year getting my new album Spirit Ridge ready for release in February and the Ridge Trilogy EPs that accompany the album. I’m excited to share this new record that I recorded out in Italy. It has a strong connection to my Calexico collaboration Sinner’s Shrine, but has a few different colours and textures on there. I hope people will enjoy it.
Merry Christmas to you and all your readers and a very happy new year when it comes.
SOPHIE GAULT
What I’ve been listening to lately:
Elizabeth Cook’s album Aftermath. Such a brilliant production and group of songs. My favorite song is Perfect Girls of Pop.
King Margo’s album Waters Rise. They’re so good.
Mk.Gee, an r&b singer I just found out about. He has this album called Two Star & the Dream Police. It’s really interesting dreamy sounding music and I love it.
Gurf Morlix, who’s one of my favourite guitar players and writers, just put out an album called In Love at Zero Degrees. My favourite song is called Petals Fall.
DAVID NEWBOULD
Margo Cilker - Valley Of Hearts Delight. I recently discovered Margo Cilker. I’d heard her name but never any music. She is wonderful! Such smart songs, so much personality and humor, and great musicians and engineering … it’s all filled with so much charm and emotion. I love the production and musicianship in the record. She is a great talent.
Shannon McNally - Trouble and Celebration (singles). These recent singles are so, so good. Pretty much everything she puts her name to is extraordinary. I’ve been really mesmerized by her voice in recent months, its character and the way she writes and lets music just move right through her is very inspiring. I always loved her Southside Sessions album with Charlie Sexton from way back in 2006, but hadn’t dug much further until this past year. On the one hand I was pissed off that I denied myself for so long, on the other hand it feels like I clued in at just the right time.
Nellen Dryden - Show Me The Way. I love this album. It’s her second album (her first, "Standstill” is also excellent). She is a singer/songwriter based here in Nashville. Really organic sounds with a super sultry and expressive voice. To me it’s undeniable music. Check her out.
Sam Fender - I kept hearing a song on the radio and Shazamming it to see who it was, and it kept being him. I dig it! To be honest I’ve been mostly spinning his 2 live albums, Live From Finsbury Park and Seventeen Going Under (Live). His songs are really melodic adrenaline vessels. His life story as I understand it is also something that’s hard not to get behind as well. I’m always thrilled to see people with guitars, drums and honest songs still breaking through. He’s definitely got a “thing" and it’s very exciting.
Tears For Fears - Songs For A Nervous Planet. My 10 year old randomly discovered Tears For Fears a couple of years ago and we’ve listened to them so much that there’s absolutely no way I shouldn’t be sick to death of them by now. Yet somehow I’m not. We took him to Las Vegas earlier in the year to see them and it was fantastic. This album is essentially a live album from their last tour with a few new studio songs at the top. So many bands that are frozen in a certain era in today’s zeitgeist tend to rest on past laurels, but for anyone who hasn’t kept up with Tears For Fears since the ’80’s…their current music is very strong. So I like this album a lot.
Heavy revisits:
I’ve been listening a ton to these reissues/extended versions.. whatever you want to call them.
Tragically Hip - Up To Here (reissue). I grew up in Canada and this band was omnipresent in my formative years. This was their first real album and while it still holds up, I’ve most enjoyed hearing the raw demos to the songs that, cut before recording the album. Big sound and personalities and you’re right there in the…garage, rehearsal studio… wherever they did them. Coll stuff.
The Replacements - Dead Man’s Pop. This came out in 2019 but I’ve been revisiting it heavily. It is itself a revisit of Don’t Tell A Soul, with a “new” mix that’s really the old mix that they wanted to use but the label wouldn’t approve. It’s so good! I love this band. Paul is a one of a kind songwriter. I’ll never tire of Aching To Be, Talent Show, Darling One…There are all kinds of outtakes and a whole concert, and a bunch of material from a highly liquidated late night studio hang with Tom Waits in clear and perfect stereo.
Thin Lizzy - 1976. This finally made me take a break from my 2 year Live And Dangerous box set indulgence (all 7 concerts they sourced for the original release - some of the best music ever, but I know you know that). This has very interesting and cool remixes of Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox, a bunch of outtakes etc, but the crown jewel is a live show taped for WMMS in Cleveland that is transcendent! Phil and the whole band at the top of their game, showing us over here how it’s done. It sounds to me like it’s sourced from a cassette recording of the broadcast, but who cares? So good.
ALICE WALLACE
2024 has been such a spectacular year in music! I have to be honest that I've spent a good chunk of my year listening to albums released by friends of mine, like Zero Gravity - The HawtThorns, Baptized by the Blaze - India Ramey, and in the last couple weeks I've been playing my friend Alicia Witt's new album I Think I'm Spending Christmas With You on repeat because I love a Christmas album with clever new ways of looking at the holiday season. I also have to admit that even though pop music rarely catches my ear, I have listened to way more Chappell Roan this year than I ever would have expected. Her vocals and melodies are just so spot-on and creative, and as a yodeler, I love hearing pop music that leans heavily on vocal breaks. Her music has been my go-to to pep me up on long drives or when I'm out jogging. Also, the band Lawrence and their album Family Business! So catchy and infectious in a way that leans on serious musical talent. Of course, I'm also in the Sierra Ferrell fan club for her album Trail of Flowers this year, and I was ridiculously excited to see that her co-write with my friend Melody Walker, American Dreaming, got nominated for a Grammy! Melody and I wrote the song Bonfire on my album together, and Melody is a songwriter and singer that I think deserves all the recognition she can get.
AMANDA FIELDS
I listened to so many incredible albums this year. On the Country and Americana side of things, it felt like an especially strong year for Brenna MacMillan (Dear Life), Johnny Blue Skies (Passage Du Desir), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (I Built A World), and brother Bob Sumner (Some Place To Rest Easy). I also enjoyed the Bon Iver EP, Sable. My album of the year 2024 is …Quiet Town by Mindy Smith. The kindness of Mindy’s pen is unmatched in songwriting as far as I can tell and Quiet Town is a perfect album. My takeaway from the project – Mindy is Nashville’s monarch butterfly and she must be protected at all costs. It’s been a great year for music!
MICHAEL WESTON KING
Bernard Butler - Good Grief. The opening track Camber Sands is arguably my track of the year. It’s brilliant, it just builds and builds.
Adrienne Lenker - Bright Future, and in particular the song Sadness As A Gift, which is just stunning, one the best, most plaintive yet beautiful songs I have heard in years. It became something of a go to song for me after the summer, and My Darling Clementine even covered it on or recent December tour. The lyrics say it all. ‘You and I both know there is nothing more to say / Chance has shut her shining eyes and turned her face away.’
Tucker Zimmerman - Dance Of Love also made with Adrienne and her band Big Thief, another lost singer songwriter now in his 80’s but he has written lovely understand gems here.
Nick Lowe - Indoor Safari - his first new album in years and his first co-produced with Neil Brockbank.
Nothing for years then along come two albums from T. Bone Burnett, one solo, The Other Side and one with Elvis under The Cowards Brothers pseudonym. Enjoyed both immensely.
Having seen him when we played Kilkenny Roots in May, I immediately bought the Jeffrey Martin album, Thank God We Left The Garden. Although it was released in 2023, I only heard it for the first time this year, and it is a real gem. Quite outstanding songwriting with Red Station Wagon being my highlight but there are many.
Others of note in 2024 -
Nick Cave - Wild God
Chuck Prophet - Wake The Dead
Oisin Leech - Cold Sea
Tom Rush - Gardens Old, Flowers New
Yard Act - Where’s My Utopia?
Shout out too to my old pals, and lifers, Peter Bruntnell and Danny Champ, who both released fine albums this year, in fact the new albums are arguably amongst the finest releases of their long careers. What more can we do other than try and keep getting better. I’d like to think we all are.
OLD - but new to me this year
Eric Justin Kaz – If You're Lonely
Marc Benno - Minnows
While on tour in Japan recently our promoter, knowing of my love of 70’s singer songwriters recommended Eric Justin Katz and Marc Benno. Both had passed me by I am ashamed to say, but for those of a similar disposition to me, I’d recommend they be heard. In particular Katz, who falls somewhere between Jackson Browne and Paul Simon, and even reminded me of Gerry Rafferty a little in places. A classy sounding album, lots of A listers playing on it.
RE-ISSUES
Various Artists - Les Cousins: The Soundtrack Of The Legendary Folk & Blues Club Cherry Red put out some fine compilations and this 3 cd box sets celebrating the famed London club is fabulous.
Elvis Costello - King of America & Other Realms is a six-disc box set of a top three all-time EC album for me and this cd box set is a deep dive into that album and many other Costello albums recorded in the US with fascinating demo's and outtakes. It’s not cheap but for EC acolytes it’s essential. Incredibly detailed liner notes too. I’ve read shorter novels!
Various Artists - David Hepworth’s More Deep 70s – Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade - Not out yet (comes in January), but if it is half as good as the first one (Deep 70s: Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade) then we are in for a treat.
AGS CONNOLLY
Ruth Theodore - I Am I Am. This album was by far and away my favourite of the year in any genre, and indeed of many years. Ruth is a very accomplished musician and her lyrics are both clear and evocative. Her delivery of a range of styles is superb too. I played this album endlessly and found undiscovered corners of it every time.
James Talley - Bandits, Ballads & Blues. Released to little fanfare, it's nonetheless great to know James is still making music. He's one of the best country-blues writers ever (I always thought his song Are They Gonna Make Us Outlaws Again? could have been a giant hit for Willie Nelson, for example) and doesn't miss a beat with this later career effort.
Johnny Cash - Songwriter. Speaking of later career efforts, this album created from demos with newly recorded backing by John Carter Cash is extremely tasteful and gets better with every listen. Arguably the best posthumous Cash release.
Alex Key - Outdated There's been a lot of talk of 90s revivals this year and Zach Top in particular. For me, nowhere near enough attention has come the way of Alex Key, who for me offers more as an original writer. This album was a very nice surprise.
And one from yesteryear...
Hoyt Axton - My Griffin Is Gone Having been a casual fan for some time, this year I went right down the Hoyt Axton rabbit hole. An incredibly imaginative and singular artist - particularly for the time period - all his albums have something new and unexpected to offer. This was the first I really focused on though, and what got me hooked.
Apologies, as ever, to any I have missed that deserved a mention. I'm sure I'll remember them all the instant this gets posted up...
DAVID MURPHY
Oisin Leech - Cold Sea
Within the acoustic duo The Lost Brothers, the songwriting of Oisin and Mark McCausland got better and better with each record they released over a 15+ year period. Upon hearing an early copy of this solo album by Oisin, I was wondering to myself if it was going to be 'Lost Brothers lite', however what unfolds across the nine songs is a step in a different direction for the Meath man. It is full of wonderfully crafted songs alluding to imagery of the ocean and the solitary beauty of County Donegal where it was recorded and brings to mind Nick Drake in its delivery and production. The subtle accompaniment of Steve Gunn, M.Ward and Tony Garnier's gentle double bass beautifully envelop these melancholic songs in a way that never detracts from the core of Oisin's voice and acoustic guitar.
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - Woodland Studios
While it's been 13 years since the last new Gillian Welch record, this album - with David Rawlings receiving double-billing for the first time - seems to almost continue in the same space as David Rawlings' Nashville Obsolete, production-wise and in some of the themes of the songs. Stories of ways of life which are long lost as well as stories reminiscing of absent friends of old. As with every studio record from this duo, it is full of finely-honed words and music that are nothing short of sublime. With some beautifully subtle pedal steel guitar by Russ Pahl, North Country and What We Had are two stand-out tracks to me alongside minimal acoustic gems like Lawman' and 'The Bells and The Birds which showcase just how in-sync these two artists are: sometimes singing in harmony, sometimes in unison, with their guitars perfectly blended becoming a single-voiced force of nature. There has never been nor ever will be anybody just like Welch and Rawlings! This record is yet another stand-out of theirs.
T-Bone Burnett - The Other Side
After a couple of amazing experimental records with Keefus Cianca and Jay Bellerose of fire-and-brimstone beat-poet electronica, T-Bone has successfully ventured back to what he has been a core champion of for many years: simple folk and country-blues songs, though here full of the wonders of life and our human mortality. The album features some beautifully gentle accompaniment and wonderful picking from Colin Linden on a variety of stringed instruments as well as duets with Roseanne Cash and harmony-duo Lucius. Country shuffles and back-beats are handled by double bass and mandolin instead of drums, bringing to mind the simple yet subtle power of The Carter Family or Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two. Burnett has never sounded better or more at ease either with his vocal delivery.
The Unthanks - In Winter
Like every record The Unthanks release, there is a sense of them taking us somewhere new, albeit always through the lens of their Northeastern view of the world. Their continuing ability to take ancient songs and render them into something new is a marvel and this ambitious double album In Winter successfully delivers upon what they describe as a Winter Fantasia. Playing across four long-playing sides, the listener is treated to an aural journey through wintery soundscapes evoking the harsh weather of their Northumberland home - sounds of the elements outside juxtaposed with the cosiness of a roaring fire or the distant, nostalgic hum of a colliery brass band playing Christmas carols. Glacial instrumentals are sprinkled amongst winterish folk tales ripe for The Unthanks treatment such as in The Bleak Midwinter, The Snow It Melts The Soonest and Dark December. Rachel, Becky and Niopha's haunting voices as always perfectly conveying all the moods and elements of this time of year.
JERRY ZINN ( WEST OF TEXAS)
Here's my top 10 albums and top 10 singles. So many bands aren't releasing albums and releasing a single at a time. I guess this is the new thing, because bands know after 3 months their album is dead. If they release a single at a time they can promote an album for 10 to 12 months.
Top 10 Albums:
Tony Martinez - Everywhere West
Hannah Juanita - Tennessee Songbird
JP Harris - Is A Trash Fire
Elijah Ocean - Loser's Holiday
Matt Hillyer - Bright Skyline
Cory Cross - There's More
Lasers Lasers Birmingham - Mystery Highway
Mallory Eagle - The Neon Waltz
Silverada - Silverada
Jesse Daniel - Countin' The Miles
Top 10 Singles:
Christopher Seymore - Cheated On
The Reeves Brother's - Drink Her Off My Mind
The Reeves Brother's - Small Town Sundown Saturday Night
The Reeves Brother's - She Don't Want A Cowboy
Jesse Daniel - Workin' Hard (Day and Night)
Todd Day Wait - Oh Don't Tell Her
Todd Day Wait - Time Will Let You Know
Gus Clark & the Least of His Problems
Emily Rose & the Rounders - Too Much Too
Rosy Nolan - One of Your Songs
WONDER WOMEN OF COUNTRY - BRENNEN LEIGH. MELISSA CARPER,KELLY WILLIS
This year, Wonder Women of Country have collectively been listening to records by Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, and Jolie Holland. We’ve also been enjoying podcasts about murder, and YouTube’s about aliens.
VICTORIA BAILEY
1 Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well
This album has been on repeat for me since it came out. The Architect has become one of my favourite songs ever written and this album, (and her writing in general) is always so relatable, and true, and to the point. I saw her play Live in LA in the fall and it was truly such a beautiful show… the stage design, the band, Kacey, all of it. It was a beautiful spacey-western, confetti filled night! I’m a forever fan.
2. Roy Rodger - An Old Cowhand
When I went on tour this summer, this album was the official Sound Track to all of the miles spent on the road. We drove through a lot of desert with a lot of rich Western history, and it just felt right to have Roy Rodgers keep us company and help narrate it all. We went back and forth between this album and a Billy the Kid documentary as we drove through Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado.
BRIT TAYLOR
I have to start with Sturgill Simpson’s newest record, or shall I say Johnny Blue Sky’s new record? I dig it! As always. I’m still listening to all his old records, too; they’re all great.
I’m also still stuck on Brent Cobbs’ - Southern Star record he released in 2023! It’s so much fun and it just soothes my soul when I’m listening to it. I can’t go any further without including Adam Chaffins. I’m not including him because he’s good looking and sweet and funny and kind. And it’s certainly not because we are married, and I am supposed to say good stuff about him! I am including him because he’s released two incredible new singles this year that everyone should be aware of and I can’t wait for him to release more next year. I got to be part of the songs, and it’s so rewarding to watch and hear the artist he is and is becoming. It fun to see him open up in these songs and speak his truth. “Lay-Away Momma” and “Little Bit At A Time” are songwriting at its best. I also love Maggie Rose’s - No One Gets Out Alive. She really outdid herself, in my opinion. It is so refreshing to see an artist just be themself and not trying to chase something that isn’t them! “No One Gets Out Alive” is so authentically her, and I love it. The new Marcus King record Mood Swings slaps. It’s so vibey. Delilah is my favourite song from the record, and it’s so cool that he wrote it with Gabe Lee. I’ve also been loving everything from super couple Meg McCree and Ben Chapman. It’s not just because they’re my friends, but it’s because they make incredible music. They aren’t trying to be anybody else or compete with anyone. They’re just making music from the depths of their souls, then making it funky as hell, and I love it! I’m still stuck on Chris Stapleton's 2023 record Higher as well. The first song on the album wrecks me. And I love that Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton wrote it together.
You will still find me listening to all the classics and the songs I grew up on — lots of Patty Loveless, LeeAnn Womack, Bobbi Gentry, Keith Whitley, Ricky Skaggs — especially the bluegrass record they made together! And that’s just a start to all the music I love so much!
KRISTINA MURRAY
Here are a few of my favourite albums from the year; thanks for having me!
Waxahachie - Tigers Blood. Across the board, this is absolutely one of the best records to come out this year. Writing, singing, production all matched perfectly. Favourite cuts: Right Back To It, Bored, title track, Lone Star Lake.
Melissa Carper - Borned In Ya: Melissa's writing and singing (and bass playing...though Dennis Crouch is perfect--per usual--on this LP) are unique, interesting, dynamic and truly grab you and keep you listening. I just adore this country lounge record top to bottom. Favourite cuts: I Don't Love You Anymore, Let's Stay Single Together, title track, Let's Get Outta Here.
JP Harris - JP Harris is a Trash Fire: JP is a true treasure of a musician, songwriter, collaborator and human. This album has what we expect from JP but this is his best effort yet: elevated, sensitive, witty, real, raw songwriting that's plain as the beard on his face. There's no bullshit here and it's another record I love, top to bottom. Favourite cuts: To The Doves, Old Fox, title track, East Alabama, Write It All Down
The Deslondes - Roll It Out: My favourite Deslondes record since their self-titled label debut. Drummer Howe's songwriting and playing adds volumes to Deslondes catalogue and the boys (and producer Andrija Tokic) were really rolling (pardon the pun) when they put together this collection. Favourite cuts: Mercury on Parade, Go Out Tonight, Hold On Liza, Drifter's Wife, Pour Another Round
Pat Reedy - Make It Back Home: Pat is a longtime (goner) friend and one of the (grand)fathers of our lil underground country music scene. Simply put: he's a legend. He's one of the better songwriters in my generation and this is his best record yet. I am partial also as I lent some backing vocals on this record way back when it was recorded in 2019! Traveling around Europe with Pat was a highlight of 2025 for me. Favourite Cuts: All The Way Down, title track, Should You Ever (about Luke Bell)
Noeline Hoffmann - Purple Gas: I'm always slightly initially sceptical of instant-famous TikTok musicians, but this album delivers: really excellent writing-- especially for someone so green, hot shit country band and production, and such beautiful haunting voice. Excited to see more from Noeline. Favourite Cuts: Rodeo Junkies, August, solo self-title
Other records I've been loving and spinning a lot this year:
The Mavericks - Moon & Stars
Stephie James - As Night Fades
Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future
Swamp Dogg - Blackgrass
Hannah Juanita -Tennessee Song Bird
The Lostines - Meet The Lostines
Sam Burchfield - Me and My Religion
Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers
Kelsey Waldon - There's Always A Song
BOB SUMNER
1) Phosphorescent - Revelator (2024)
Phosphorescent, or Matthew Houck scratches an itch for me that few others can. He very gently hints at his influences while creating music very much his own. I have been a fan for a long time. If it were not for his record 'To Willie", a record of Willie Nelson tunes, one might not be aware at all of Matthew's love of country music. His records and songs are consistently stunning. He writes words that matter and surrounds them with beautiful thoughtful soundscapes. Revelator does not disappoint with the title track and the second track, a tune penned by his wife Jo Schornikow being standouts.
2) Doug Paisley - Say What You Like (2023)
Doug Paisley is a Canadian treasure. He is an artist not widely known by the general public but beloved by those that do know. He is a world class flat picker, a marvellous wordsmith and consistently puts out records worth their weight in gold. With 'Say What You Like' Doug teamed up with Producer Afie Jurvanen of the Bahamas, enlisting said band in the studio. What results is a deliciously understated groovy record, one that would make Don Williams proud.
3) Don Williams - Expressions (1978)
Don. Always Don. Smooth. Groovy. A warm blanket.
4) Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future (2024)
Exquisite. Possibly the greatest songwriter of our time. Every time I listen to her music, be it solo or Big Thief I am inspired and humbled. I am reminded why I started writing songs. So true and pure. Art distilled to its basic ingredients. Art for arts sake.
5) Chuck Johnson - Balsams (2017)
Ambient Western? Yes please. I find more often than not I am drawn to various takes on ambient music. I love the soundtrack to Paris, Texas by Ry Cooder. In recent years there seems to be an uptick in what some might call Western Ambient. There is a great band called SUSS who I believe led me down a 'Country Ambient' rabbit hole to which I have not surfaced and do not plan to anytime soon. Chuck Johnson is one that I found down that hole and who appeared as a standout. His record Balsams is a constant rotation for me.
PRINZ GRIZZLEY (CHRIS COMPER)
1 Taylor McCall - Mellow War
Love the sparse production, the vocal performance, and the great songs. The standout song for me is definitely "Rolling Stoned Again"—what a song!!
2 Father John Misty - Mahashmashana
Just released, but I know this album is greatness!!!! It will be on repeat for a while! What a genius!!
3 Nicky Diamonds - Perdido en La Salsa
Stumbled upon this great artist by accident, and was wrapped in the songs immediately. For me, it’s a listen-through album—I can't say which song touches me the most. I also love that nearly every song is longer than 5 minutes; great vibe!
4 Steel Saddle - Steel Saddle
Was hooked from the first time I heard the single Under Your Arms. This album is right up my alley! It's always great having Canadians doing Americana—there's always a twist and great songs.
5 Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers
What else is there to say? The Queen delivers! Really like the production, and the songs are great, especially "Fox Hunt"!
6 Charley Crockett $10 Cowboy
Let’s not waste any words here—I am sure by the time you publish this list, he will have another 3 albums out. Hardest working man in the business! When it says Charley Crockett on the cover, you know you will get Charley Crockett!
Honorable Mentions:
Golden Everything - Sweet Old World
JP Harris - Is A Trash Fire
Jeremie Albino - Our Time In The Sun
The Black Keys - Ohio Players (mostly because of the two songs co-written by Noel Gallagher)
That’s it—wait, wasn’t there another album? By one of my favorite artists? Was it by Sturgill? Ah, sorry, it was by Johnny Blue Skies! All good then.
MAC LEAPHART
Clay Parker & Jodi James - Your Very Own Dream
I have been waiting for a new album by Clay Parker & Jodi James since I wore out 2018's The Lonesomest Sound that can Sound and it did not disappoint.This album is elegantly sparse and austere, with rich textures and fantastic song writing.
Cody Gentry: Blue Ridge Gold
A relatively new artist, but his debut album seems like he's been doing this for years-
Great, thought-provoking lyrics, and fantastic production.
Hayes & The Heathens
The album we didn't know we needed until we heard it, right? This album had to be great: one of the best songwriter's out there right now with one of the best bands. It's one of those albums you can just put on and let it spin.
Elliott Blaufuss - Prairie Du Chien
A great album from one of the best musicians I know here in Nashville.
Elliott has serious musical chops & so he throws a lot of curve balls into the typical Americana chord progressions, but not in a pretentious or "trying too hard" kind of way. A great vibe runs through this entire record.
Caleb Caudle - Sweet Critters
I had a spotify playing random songs, and Knee Deep Blues popped up, and I was like, "Damn, this song sounds cool as hell." I really dig the overall vibe of this album.
The Wild Feathers - Sirens
I've been a fan of The Wild Feathers for a long time, they always put out solid albums, and this one is no exception.
Rob Leines - Headcase
This album is guitar heavy, raw & raucus, much like Rob's live shows. Solid.
Ben Chapman - Downbeat
This album will be released on December 13, I'm writing this on the 9th, I've only heard the 5 songs he's released so far, but those are all great, so, I think it’s safe to assume it's going to be a great album.
India Ramey - Baptized by the Blaze
India is a great singer/songwriter and has this almost goth honky tonk thing going on-it’s really cool.