Ruthie Collins' Cold Comfort is devoid of glittery instrumentation and mellifluous lyrics. Instead, the music is raw, sometimes bitter yet earning for optimism. Collins' grittiness is measured and her anguish certain.
A down-to-earth roots musician who doesn't care if you call her instrument a violin or fiddle, Amanda Shires played it incredibly well while impressing Mile Highwomen, millennial men, and golden oldies alike during a hot winter night in Colorado.
The world is unraveling around us. But Americana duo the Mastersons know better. It's human feelings that make living worthwhile, as they show on their new album, No Time for Love Songs.
With "The Rain", Americana's Les Gruff and the Billy Goat bring a hearty and nostalgic jam to the table that features steel guitar from Mike and the Moonpies' Zachary Moulton.
On her new single, "Thunder", Nashville's Chloe Kimes shares her musings on reinforcing one's inner strengths and reclaiming their personal narrative.
The writing on the Lone Bellow's Half Moon Light strives towards the essence of a thing – emotional conflict and tension, inward or interpersonal – and resolution.
Rockabilly singer Tami Neilson hosts a brief but potent party straight from New Zealand on her new album, Chickaboom!
Kingdom in My Mind captures the energy of the Wood Brothers' live performances, and it invites listeners to come jam-out, as long as the lyrics aren't carefully scrutinized.
"Bad Luck" spotlights Answering Machine's tough-minded brand of rock 'n' roll with touchstones that range from Tom Petty and the Replacements to Jenny Lewis.
Americana's John Moreland has a deep voice and sings without affectation. There's an honesty in his straightforward delivery and something down-to-earth even in his most lofty sentiments.
Once Drive-By Truckers' The Unraveling hits the fourth song, "Thoughts and Prayers", the album dives headlong into the nightmares of the United States in 2020.
Texas country artist Terry Allen has a sinister sense of humor that he uses to lighten up Just Like Moby Dick and add emotional depth to seemingly innocent situations.
Traversing the distance between Nick Drake and Muscle Shoals, Bart Budwig delivers a haunting vocal line on "Four Leaf Clover".
This was a major year for country music. With Lil Nas X, the world saw the shift. But others are helping to move country from near homogeneity to a diverse pastiche.
Todd Snider's 2004 album, East Nashville Skyline, is getting a new lease on life with a new vinyl edition, but the veteran troubadour remains creatively restless and committed to his musical future. "I might sound like I know how life works but I don't. I know less about it all the time."
Americana's Allison Moorer has traveled the world, but revisits the early years of her small-town past — and the horrific moment that changed two sisters' lives — with an album and memoir that go to hell and back.
Old Crow Medicine Show honor history on Live at the Ryman, while continuing to show more interest in new, charged versions of tradition.
The opening cut from Texas roots rockers Micky and the Motorcars' upcoming album is the classic Americana jam of "Road to You".
Room 41 showcases Paul Cauthen's continued growth as an innovative country artist who isn't afraid to take risks.
Ketch Secor looks back on Old Crow Medicine Show's relationship with country music, discusses addiction, the importance of the Ryman, and music's ability to carry important messages.
Produced by David Cobb, Other Girls is the album that will garner Americana/alt-country artist Lillie Mae the attention she richly deserves.
Mystic Valley Band man Taylor Hollingsworth steps out for the first album under his own name since 2011. "Tap Dancin' Daddy" tells of the struggles of parenthood and the struggles of staying true to one's self.
Putting two of America's top emerging songwriters of the past decade together makes for arguably the best combo tour of 2019.
Chuck Mead taps into Americana and emerges with Close to Home, which might just be the coolest album you'll hear in 2019.
South Carolina Americana duo Shovels & Rope discuss their superb new release, By Blood, and its ongoing evolution: "We always knew there were going to be less banjos, less mandolins, more weird things."
Heartbreak and agony conspire in Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters' tale from the road about a wandering mind and wandering lover, "18 Wheels".
Listening to Howe Gelb's Gathered is like being at a dinner party with Gelb at the head of the table, telling stories, offering his sagacity, and taking the listener on clever lexical excursions.
Shovels & Rope's By Blood is a record that smacks you in the face as a first impression, but then, still demands time to give up its secrets and grow on you. Give it the time.
Terry Allen's musical compositions suggest that the Southwestern desert landscape is made up equally of wavering guitar lines, a broken television set, mad women, pounding drums, Indian chants, buzzing insects, and of course rodents and birds of all variety.
Long-running alt-country act Son Volt mixes some forceful politics with a bit of filler for an album that's not quite as unified as it could have been.
Kentucky duo with strong ties to punk and metal communities, Lost Dog Street Band offers a heartfelt and eye-opening glimpse at battling addiction.
Derrick Bostrom reunites with the Kirkwood brothers for the first time in 24 years, and the resulting Dusty Notes rings true to Meat Puppets' legacy.
On Forever, Vandoliers imbue the classic country figure with punk's emphasis on community thereby establishing an individualized take on the two genres.
Inspired by a deep-seated desire for humankind to regain genuine connections, the scorching songs of which Boo Ray's latest album is comprised are among his most ambitious yet.
"Psychedelic Country Soul" could have been the tagline on the Long Ryders' business cards in the 1980s, and the tag still fits 30 years on as they remain masters in combining all of the above.
Neko Case's recent show at Oakland's Fox Theater highlights her dynamic album, Hell-On, in compelling fashion.
Solo acoustic "Songs & Stories" format proves a winning formula for Ryan Bingham, the Texas-raised singer/songwriter with California charisma.
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