Eric Church Gets Ambitious with the Triple LP ‘Heart & Soul’
Country megastar Eric Church’s Heart & Soul is slightly above average. However, one can make a mixtape of the best songs and have one kick-ass record.
country
Anya Hinkle’s “Why Women Need Wine” Dishes Lighthearted Appalachian Blues (premiere)
Anya Hinkle effortlessly delivers conversationalist country blues on “Why Women Need Wine”. It’s a musical eye roll that takes on the patriarchy.
Maria Muldaur and Tuba Skinny ‘Get Happy Together’
This is the kind of New Orleans music that makes a person smile and tap one’s feet when a song is happy and moan with a knowing smile when it’s sad.
Taylor Swift’s Pandemic Redemption
Taylor Swift responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with an album uniquely suited for it: contemplative, low-fi, acoustic songs perfect for isolation.
Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno’s Debut Is Quality Appalachian Music From Top to Bottom
For Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno, preserving tradition is paramount. Their debut LP is a hearty nod to the string bands and country-folk of old.
Natalie D-Napoleon Delivers an Album of Handmade Tales with Poetic Poise
The poetic songs in Natalie D-Napoleon’s You Wanted To Be the Shore But Instead You Were the Sea give women an honest voice.
Raul Malo Gathers Friends and Mavericks for a Set of ‘Quarantunes’
Quarantined at home, Raul Malo released videos of some of his favorite songs, playing solo and inviting guests to form the Malo Family Band for Quarantunes.
B.B. Palmer’s Cosmic Country on Display with “Simulation Theory” (premiere)
B.B. Palmer’s new song answers the long-standing question, “What might have happened if Charlie Louvin read the Bhagavad Gita while tripping?”
Esther Rose Captures a Relationship’s Many Ups and Downs on ‘How Many Times’
Esther Rose’s How Many Times captures the joys and heartbreaks of being in a relationship and never quite knowing where one stands.
Sara Watkins Sings for the Kids on ‘Under the Pepper Tree’
Sara Watkins’ first solo LP in five years, Under the Pepper Tree, is a very relaxed covers record featuring lullabies intended for small children.
Corb Lund Revisits ‘Agricultural Tragic’ with Bonus Tracks
Corb Lund’s 2020 album Agricultural Tragic is re-released with bonus tracks, and it merits a fresh listen.