This year’s best country albums spring from hard-country bands to traditional true believers and from alternative country renegades to pop-country superstars.
Jon Dee Graham’s first album in seven years, Only Dead For a Little While, showcases the Lone Star musician’s humor, creative talent, and generous spirit.
There is no genre with as rich a history of songs about many forms of death–by natural causes, murder, suicide, war, accidents, and so on–than country.
Dylan LeBlanc’s Coyote is suspenseful because the listener can sympathize with its main character and still wonder if he is a monster of his own making.
Lydia Loveless’ songs on her new LP tell a story of vulnerability, heartache, sadness, and yearning. She faces these issues with brilliant songwriting.
Paying homage to outlaw country titan Doug Sahm, Jay Farrar of Son Volt reminisces about his friendship with Sahm and how his influence radiates to this day.
Mikaela Davis builds her latest LP as a progression, moving further into rock territory as if demonstrating across an album the fluidity of genre and her art.
Southern Star succeeds because country’s Brent Cobb is more interested in telling a story and having a good time than pontificating.
Bon Iver emerged from the ashes of DeYarmond Edison along with Megafaun. Epoch is an archaeological endeavor documenting the eventual success through devotion to craft.
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.
Mick Flannery uses his gravel-edged voice to full effect on his latest album, Goodtime Charlie. He cultivates the nuances of his limits.
Hiss Golden Messenger’s Jump for Joy switches up the mood considerably, offering a bouncy set of tracks of youthful enthusiasm and maturing gratitude.
