AMY BOONE
King of Madrid - Peter Bruntnell
Jaime - Brittany Howard
Union - Son Volt
Two Hands - Big Thief
Everything Hits At Once - Spoon
ALLAN JONES
Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains
The Imperial - The Delines
Ghosteen - Nick Cave
Curve Of The Earth - Ohtis
Norman Fucking Rockwell - Lana del Ray
JAMES STEINLE
Something to Show for it - Ben Ballinger
Beautiful Lie - Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison
All Right, All Night - Garrett T. Capps
Right On Time - Leo Rondeau
Texas Piano Man - Robert Ellis
PinkvilleRod - Melancon
JOE HARVEY-WHYTE
Yes Please - Ren Harvieu
Wrong Again - Ags Connolly
Little Death - Alexander Wolfe
Rides Again - Shawn Lee
Tall Grass - The Goat Roper Rodeo Band
Also as an aside. My band The Hanging Stars who you would have seen at Static Roots are releasing our 3rd LP on February 26th with 2 more singles out in early 2020.
NATIVE HARROW
No Words Left - Lucy Rose
This record is so gorgeous. A delicate but powerful sound, with lyrics that ring out in your mind for hours after the record has stopped spinning.
Hot Motion - Temples
Temples is a favourite if we want to turn up the speakers and dance.
KIWANUKA - Michael Kiwanuka
One of our favourite singers out there. This record is so 70s and we love it.
Colorado - Neil Young
Neil is probably one of our top three favourite artists. A huge inspiration to us and an all around badass. Anything he releases is great.
Egypt Station - Paul McCartney
This is probably an album that feels the most Paul to us since RAM and his earlier post Beatles work. It’s beautiful.
STEEL BLOSSOMS
Traveling Mercies - Emily Scott Robinson
We discovered Emily’s music at Americana fest in 2018. We waited in line at the Station Inn and never made it inside but a friend of ours was kind enough to purchase an advanced copy of her 2019 album for us. Wow. She’s genuine and poetic in her writing and her voice is pure and wise, I believe she lived every word of it.
Dirt Emo Volume I - Ruston Kelly
Ruston Kelly has been one of our favourites for awhile and we love his original material. This album is actually a cover song album of his favourite songs that make you feel all the teenage feels! It was exciting and interesting to see what he did to make each of these classics take on a life of their own through his unique style. This album makes us wanna go emo for a night!
By The Way, I Forgive You - Brandi Carlile
I know that this album is from 2018, but we didn’t discover it until this year. We have been so heavily influenced by Brandi in the last year and we respect that she is unapologetically herself. Each song feels like a novel that I don’t want to put down. We are so glad she’s finally getting the national recognition she deserves.
The Oak Tree and the Weed - Zane Williams
We were caught off guard by this album and a few songs in particular. We met Zane at a house concert in Texas where we were both performing and didn’t have the chance to stay for his set but took an album to listen to on our trip back to Nashville. Golden Wedding Band and Grown Ups Don’t Cry were just two stand out songs that hit us where it hurts, a true measure of a an honest song. We are so glad there are Texas songwriters writing truth and can’t wait to share the stage with him again in 2020.
The Highwomen - The Highwomen
What more is there to even say about this? 4 Badass women with different lives and perspectives coming together for a message of empowerment. These ladies are a force and seeing them together is a great reminder of how important it is to have a group of supportive women in your life.
DAVID MURPHY
Years To Burn - Calexico & Iron & Wine
Their first collaboration 'In The Reins' in 2005 was a thing of real beauty and they hit the sweet spot again with this fine LP. Two great artists getting together creating something more than just the sum of their parts. Hopefully they will get to Ireland for a show at some stage in 2020.
For The Morning - Tyler Ramsey
This was on repeat a lot in my house and car throughout 2019. Lush and often meditative instrumentation in some gorgeous songs from the former Band of Horses guitarist. Evoking Neil Young with shades of Nick Drake via some lovely fingerstyle acoustic guitar touches too. A perfect Sunday-morning record!
Atlanta Millionaire's Club - Faye Webster
As a pedal steel player, I'm always looking out for new records featuring the instrument and this - from a very wise-beyond-her-years Atlanta artist Faye Webster - is a recent highlight. She reminds me a lot of Caitlin Rose vocally and in the themes of her songs albeit with a little bit more of a sun-kissed 90's R&B vibe, which never feels out of place.
Self-Titled - Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Thomas Bartlett
As part of multiple ensembles, this duo are always producing experimental and cutting-edge music that never is anything other than earthy, organic and tasteful, suspended in time and place. This record is like a dream-like segue deeper into the world of The Gloaming. Some of the pieces stretch to over 15 minutes long but never noticeable when you're immersed in it. A comfort for the soul in these wintery days and nights
Lines Pts. 1-3 - The Unthanks
There is very little if anything that the Unthanks don't turn to gold, in my opinion. Their recorded output is really something and their live shows are always unique. They are forever shining a light on old and forgotten stories of simple people experiencing difficult times and circumstances - the universal themes of human life - all delivered with staggeringly beautiful voices and arrangements. This record is the culmination of three individual EP's covering various events such as a tragic trawler disaster in Hull in the 1960's; poems from participants in World War 1 set to song and thirdly, poems by Emily Bronte - written and recorded on Bronte's original 200-year old piano.
Honourable mentions (there are just too many good records being released):
The Imperial - The Delines
Thistle & Thorn - John Blek
Brokenhearted Jubilee - Carl Broemel
Like The River Loves The Sea - Joan Shelley
Sea Songs: Anatomy of a Drowning Man - M.Cambridge
KRISTINA MURRAY
Other Girls - Lillie Mae
I didn't think I could love a Lillie Mae record more than 2017's FOREVER AND THEN SOME, but this one blew my mind, top to bottom: writing, melody, execution, production...the whole package. Eleven unique songs that are so complete as a collection, there isn't a flaw here. LM's melodies and lyricism are so different and winding, and that allows for little surprises sprinkled throughout the record. Fave tracks: Whole Blue Heart, Didn't I?, At Least Three In This Room.
Right On Time - Leo Rondeau
A criminally underrated artist, I don't really understand why Leo Rondeau isn't more famous: he's one of the best country songwriters of my generation. Nuanced, witty, truthful lyricism, diverse and swinging grooves... just a hidden gem of a record. Fave tracks: If You Don't Love Me, Get On With It, Don't Quote Me On That.
Desert Dove - Michaela Ann
This is such a stunningly beautiful record. Sweeping, breathtaking, larger than life vibes; soul-bearing, vulnerable lyrics...Michaela has really outdone herself with this record; which isn't surprising: she is one of the hardest working musicians I know and one of the most soulful, kindest, connected, loving persons I've ever met; proud to call her my dear friend. Fave tracks: Two Fools, Desert Dove, By Our Design, Tattered, Torn and Blue.
White Noise/White Lines - Kelsey Waldon
I personally haven't met any artist on the Nashville music scene who has worked harder than Kelsey nor anyone more deserving of big success; and one reason is because Kelsey has put out one of the most truly country records I've ever heard in the last 5 years, perfectly marrying honest, deeply personal writing with diverse but pure country music feels and melodies. There isn't a single bad song on this album; it's so excellently sequenced and, as a package of songs, it shows that the art of "the album" isn't lost in the streaming age. Fave Tracks: Runaway, title track, Kentucky 1988
Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold - Mike & The Moonpies
Another pure perfect country album that came out this year. Killer writing, great grooves, it's all here in this one: truly Solid Country Gold. The boys just sound like they are having a great time, but Mike's writing is layered and that's what makes this a great record that hearkens back to the day when the full song-- most importantly the lyrics-- reined supreme. Fave Tracks: If You Want A Fool Around, Cheap Silver, Young In Love.
Adaptations - Maya De Vitry
This album came out early in 2019 and was all I listened to for about 2 months straight. It is truly poetry set to some of the most beautiful melodies, sung by one of the most unique voices in the Americana world. Spacey, ethereal feelings on some tunes, stankin' rock n roll grooves on others (the guitar work on this record is enviously perfect.) If you don't know Maya's music, let me tell you, you will be absolutely blown away by her writing. Fave tracks: This Side of a Dream, How Do I Get To The Morning, Wilderness.
TERRY KLIEN
Matinee - Mark Abrahams
There's no finer songwriter in Texas than Mark Abrahams. One of my favorite things on earth to do is watch people listen to Mark for the first time and just get blown away, speechless. He and his songs rekindle my flagging faith in humanity.
Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest - Bill Callahan
I love his voice. I love his lyrics. I love the production. It makes me happy that people still make records like this. I crawled into this record and didn't leave for a good couple of weeks in May and June.
Out of Sight - Jake Xerxes Fussel
I discovered this guy because he opened for Bill Callahan here in Austin and I immediately bought all of his albums and then it was all I listened to for a week and I didn't get sick of him. It's like Black Francis combined with Mississippi John Hurt combined with the Carter Family.
Violets as Camouflage - Mary Bragg
There are still incredible songs being written in Nashville and Mary Bragg is writing a lot of them. She produced this record too, and it sounds so good that I suspect you'll be seeing a lot more Mary Bragg production credits in the release pipeline.
Truth Hurts - Lizzo
This is my personal song of the year (though I guess it technically was released a couple of years ago, it broke big this year). It does what music is supposed to do: it makes you want to dance, it makes you smile, it makes you think, and it makes you want to turn it up. Just thinking about it makes me happy.
BOO RAY
Other Girls - Lillie Mae
Lillie Mae's new record is a favorite of mine. Right off the bat, it's a decadent sonic trip, and the songs are great so it actually takes you somewhere. This is a real deal record album built on songwriting, and it's beautifully arranged, recorded and produced. The stylized production is an organic extension of Lillie's creative voice as a songwriter. Amongst the lush string arrangements and psychedelic soundscapes, Lillie's punk/garage rock/train-hopping/ renegade string-band spirit and sound remain intact. I love the acoustic guitar sounds and drum sounds.
Incinerator - Jimbo Mathus
Jimbo Mathu's Aligator Fish is a post-apocalyptic truth-telling that I've been listening to a bunch. Lilly Hiatt joins him on another cool number. The sonic thumbprint of this record is a leather helmet and junkyard choir affair type of thing. I consider Jimbo Mathus to be connected to powerful forces beyond this earthly realm and trust assuredly that he negotiates on our behalf when encountering dark or otherwise malevolent entities out there on the edge of where he gets to.
By the Way, I Forgive You - Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile's BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU has been on repeat also. The kind of themes Brandi writes and sings about aren't rocket science or necessarily even new information, but she sings without any pretension, posturing or gimmick what so ever. The whole record is full of real songs and I believe every word and note. The production is world-class and supports the songs and vocal at every moment.
Terms of Surrender - Hiss Golden Messenger
Hiss Golden Messanger's new album TERMS OF SURRENDER is a great groove record. I feel much affinity to the approach and proud to be a fellow North Carolinian mining some similar indigenous rhythmic territory. There are about four or five different iconic rhythm patterns that cycle through the record. JJ Cale is where I first became aware of this and intentionally began to emulate the method of mining a few specific indigenous regional rhythms as a template and pallet. It makes for great listening and excellent live presentation. When I saw them at the Basement East recently and they were selling a Wendell Berry book at the merch table, I was sold hook, line, and sinker.
The Eclipse Sessions - John Hiatt
John Hiatt's latest, THE ECLIPSE SESSIONS, is another record that's been on repeat. The production is really interesting and keeps me paying attention across the whole record. "Cry To Me" has some ideas that really grab me. When John sings, "Come on and cry to me baby / You can even lie to me baby" it makes me reconsider the limitations I might have placed on such things as empathy, forgiveness, understanding, and vulnerability. The album is an unassuming and groundbreaking singer-songwriter record.
Boo Ray released his critically acclaimed album Tennessee ALABAMA FIREWORKS in 2019 and is currently working on a whole mess of new music for release in 2020.
SUSTO/JUSTIN OSBORNE
There’s really only one album I’ve listened to consistently this year which also came out this year and that’s ALL MY RELATIONS by Cochemea. I think other than this one I’ve been doing a lot of going back in time with my listening and also turned inward towards my own demos and writing. I found “All My Relations” because it came out the same day as my own album EVER SINCE I LOST MY MIND (Feb 22, 2019). We were setting up for a promo show at Grimey’s in Nashville, we were on a week long promo tour, playing songs from the new album in stores all across the southern US during its release week. While we were setting up they had new releases from that week, playing over the shops speakers. I fell in love with the record they were playing, it was the first time I had ever heard Cochemea. I bought the record that day, and have since listened to it countless times. I’ve cooked a lot this year, as my wife and I have had a daughter and I’ve been home for some nice stretches of time. And while my wife has been putting our daughter to bed, I’ve been in the kitchen cooking with this record playing. I’ve enjoyed it deeply, hope you enjoy it too if you haven’t already.
Otherwise, here are some releases from this year that I am just now finding and really enjoying!
Designer - Aldous Harding
Room 41 - Paul Cauthen
U.F.O.F - Big Thief
Sonocardiogram - Daymé Arocen
Miss Universe - Nilüfer Yany9
ANGELA PERLEY
Sound & Fury - Sturgill Simpson
Some people do yoga, I just play this album over and over again haha. Overall mantra album of the year for me. I love how Sturgill followed his muse on this one and just let it all out. His writing, his dark humour, and the fuzzy guitar and synth tones that engulf the album are epic!! It’s one of those pieces that just keeps growing on me too. We spin this a lot before shows to get revved up and have been using it as house music before shows a ton.
Lux Prima - Karen O & Danger Mouse
This album is so fluid, it’s absolutely mesmerising. It puts me in a deep zone for sure, I adore this collaboration! Would love to see another album with these two, because this one just instantly clicks. Karen’s vibe is effortless in this and she just floats within the songs. It’s a chill album, but the kind of chill that puts you in a groove and has a lot of energy. Love it!
Other Girls - Lillie Mae
I adore this album so much! Lillie has such a unique sound and this album is a complete gem from her writing to her musicianship. So many great lines and I love her vocal phrasing. I love how her bluegrass/roots background spins into this kind of psychedelic, poppy, Americana hybrid - it’s really beautiful!
Everybody One of a Kind - Wild Belle
This album screams summer and was a huge part of my summer soundtrack. It’s fun, infectious and full of swagger. I love Natalie Bergman’s voice and musical style, it’s so unique. Was really happy they came to Columbus this year because I got to catch the new songs live and they rocked!!
Androgyne - Gyasi
So this is an underground Nashville band that I have yet to see live, but I am obsessed with!! This album has some serious T. Rex and Bowie rock and roll vibes and it’s an instant classic to me. Super addicting album to blast, can’t wait to see what’s next for this band.