CMAT’s ‘Euro-Country’ Is a Striking Breakout Statement
Country pop’s CMAT offers a profound statement choreographed to a contagious mixture of alt-country, soul-pop, and indie pop sensibilities.
Rick Quinn
Rick Quinn is a writer in the Nashville, TN area interested in the interplay between pop culture, religion, and social justice. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University and is currently managing a burgeoning vinyl habit. He blogs at RickTQuinn and can be found on Twitter @apophatic1.
U.S. Girls Merge the Geography of Sound and Soul
On Scratch It, U.S. Girls experiment with the sonic topography of Nashville to further explore the emotional landscape of vulnerability and materiality.
Arvo Pärt’s ‘Silentium’ Gives Voice to Silence Within Sound
With this curated compilation, Mississippi Records provides a compelling primer into Arvo Pärt, the world’s most performed living composer.
Mt. Joy Continue to Evolve Sonically on ‘Hope We Have Fun’
Mt. Joy may be an established fixture of the indie folk-rock scene, but this release displays their creative hunger and drive to evolve and grow.
Julien Baker and Torres Create a Stunning Queer Country Album
Julien Baker and Torres have co-written a compact, yet rich collection of songs that testifies to their skill as country music practitioners.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Trace Landscapes of Connection and Resilience
Throughout Woodland, Americana songwriters Gillian Welch and David Rawlings underscore the sinews of relationships that are stretched but never torn.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Declare “Now Is the Time For Joy”
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ Wild God teems with creative ambitions and sacred content. An ode to the surprise of joy, it is an audacious, reaching record.
Tyler Childers’ New LP Evokes the Golden Age of the Nashville Sound
With Rustin’ in the Rain, Tyler Childers and the Food Stamps have dropped one of the year’s more vital pure country albums. The rich production is impressive.
Graham Nash Gets Personal About Past, Present, and Future in ‘Now’
Now reminds of the treasure that Graham Nash has been and continues to be in the ongoing narrative of rock music and it’s a snapshot of the creative spark.
Joy Oladokun Offers Healing Hymns For Fraught Times in ‘Proof of Life’
Joy Oladokun’s Proof of Life attempts to connect with others struggling, hanging in, and moving forward, an invitation traversing musical genres in its call.
Country Westerns’ ‘Forgive the City’ Bristles With Punk Energy and Barroom Rockers
Country Westerns’ music is tight, propulsive, and unafraid to meld genres. Their “punk chutzpah with classic rock sheen” is unafraid of country and blues flavors.
The Resistant Joy of Boygenius Rocks ‘The Record’
The sound of joy as resistance on Boygenius’ The Record is as radical a statement as London Calling or Nevermind. It’s one of the more significant statements of our time.Â