The 10 Best Country Albums of 2019
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.
19 Dec 2019
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'World Full of Blues': The Return of Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley
On their third album, World Full of Blues, Americana guitar masters Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley expand their horizons, while still playing up a storm.
04 Nov 2019
Old Crow Medicine Show Feel Right at Home on 'Live at the Ryman'
Old Crow Medicine Show honor history on Live at the Ryman, while continuing to show more interest in new, charged versions of tradition.
Justin Cober-Lake
Music
18 Oct 2019
The Dead South's 'Sugar and Joy' Is One of 2019's Most Entertaining Albums
The Dead South combine bluegrass and string band sounds into one excellent package with Sugar and Joy.
07 Oct 2019
The Po' Ramblin' Boys Present Tales of 'Toil, Tears & Trouble'
The Po' Ramblin' Boys' Toil, Tears & Trouble proves that the expanding universe of bluegrass music always has room for a contemporary take on tradition.
01 Oct 2019
Shut Up and Sing? Che Apalache Thinks Not
Multinational acoustic band Che Apalache vow to tear down the wall (yes, that wall) as they confront issues of immigration and identity on Rearrange My Heart.
25 Sep 2019
Gaelynn Lea Celebrates Dedication, Love Via "The Long Way Around" (premiere)
The new single from folk violinist and vocalist Gaelynn Lea arrives on 27 September. Fans of Karen Dalton, Andrew Bird, and the British folk boom will want to hear "The Long Way Around".
24 Sep 2019
The Broadside Effect: An Interview With Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor
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.
Jedd Beaudoin
Music
24 Sep 2019
Ben Winship's Stringed Instrument Adventures in Americana
Ben Winship's two new Americana albums give listeners the choice of tight and focused or loose and eclectic. But it is perfectly fine to choose both.
26 Jul 2019
Albi & the Wolves Bring Their Bluegrass to New Heights on 'This Is War' (album stream) (premiere)
New Zealand bluegrass band Albi & the Wolves renovate their sound with their electrifying new album, This Is War.
26 Jul 2019
Scythian Invite You to "Experience Appaloosa" with a Live Performance of "New York Girls" (premiere)
Ahead of the fifth annual Appaloosa Roots Music Festival, festival hosts Scythian share a rousing live performance of "New York Girls" from last year's outing.
18 Jun 2019
Molly Tuttle's Vibrant Musical Prowess Shines on Tour
Molly Tuttle's When You're Ready steers her bluegrass towards pop and is deservedly earning her a new audience.
28 May 2019
Lonesome River Band Takes Up the Murder Ballad With "Outside Looking In" (premiere)
Bluegrass veterans Lonesome River Band create a narrative complex enough to fill a novel in a harrowing tale of family discord and hidden lives on "Outside Looking In".
21 May 2019
Unspoken Tradition Make Fun, Breezy Bluegrass on 'Myths We Tell Our Young'
Unspoken Tradition's Myths We Tell Our Young is an enjoyable, breezy album. It's fun to listen to and it's well played, but it could use a bit more variety.
09 May 2019
The Infamous Stringdusters Follow the Light on 'Rise Sun'
Progressive bluegrass band the Infamous Stringdusters follow up the Grammy-winning Laws of Gravity with Rise Sun, a journey into the light.
22 Apr 2019
Della Mae Are Bluegrass Bad-Asses on 'The Butcher Shoppe EP'
The Butcher Shoppe succeeds in partially shoving the boy's club out of the way. In doing so, Della Mae's regain their position as bluegrass bad-asses.
11 Apr 2019
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