Part Seven
Part Six
Part Five
Part Four
Part Three
Part Two
Part One
Matthew ’Doc’ Dunn – Rain, Rain, Rain (Cosmic Range Records)
Onwards to the next chapter of the neverending virtual year-end journey. This one starts in Canada with cosmic cowboy Matthew Doc Dunn.
Matthew McNeal – Good Grief (Matte Black Sound Company)
Next up is another Matthew, this time from Fort Worth, Texas. Matthew McNeal has had more than his share of bad luck during the recent years, but made a really good album in the midst of it all.
Sam Burton – I Can Go With You (Tompkins Square)
Moving on to Los Angeles for this timeless beauty from Sam Burton. I fell for this when the first single arrived and the full-length lived up to the sky high expectations.
Kathleen Edwards – Total Freedom (Dualtone)
A bit of surprise return from Canadian songwriter Kathleen Edwards, but I couldn’t be happier about it. The new album is gorgeous.
Malin Pettersen – Wildhorse (Die With Your Boots On Records)
A brief visit to Norway in order to spend some time with country singer-songwriter Malin Pettersen and her beautiful new album Wildhorse.
Caleb Caudle – Better Hurry Up (Baldwin County Public Records)
Back across the pond for the new album from long time favorite Caleb Caudle.
Joshua Ray Walker – Glad You Made It (State Fair Records)
And continuing with great country singer-songwriters. Joshua Ray Walker’s sophomore album is excellent as a whole plus has this one hell of a song called Voices.
Justin Wells – United State (Singular Recordings)
Then off to Lexington, Kentucky to meet up with Justin Wells and his awesome new album United State. Bonus thanks to Justin for introducing Abby Hamilton to me.
Jaime Wyatt – Neon Cross (New West Records)
More country greats from Nashville, Tennessee. New Jaime Wyatt album is excellent.
Colter Wall – Western Swing & Waltzes and other Punchy Songs (La Honda Records)
This lovely Canadian man also released a new collection of songs. Some gorgeous originals mixed up with selected cuts from the previous eras of country music.
Brennen Leigh – Prairie Love Letter
Oh and here’s a real stunner from Brennen Leigh. A lot of remarkable songs on this album and it would have easily made the cut even on a much shorter year-end list.
Juliet McConkey – Disappearing Girl
A marvellous debut album from Austin-based Juliet McConkey. I had heard whispers about her somewhere and therefore I was ready when the first single arrived. I instantly loved it and the feeling only grew stronger when the album arrived a while later.
H.C. McEntire – Eno Axis (Merge Records)
Moving on to Durham, North Carolina for the second solo album from Mount Moriah’s H.C. McEntire. It’s mighty good of course.
Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud (Merge Records)
More gold from the Merge Records vaults. Quite a spectacular album from Waxahatchee that has deservably been the top pick (or one of them) on several aoty lists I’ve seen.
Samantha Crain – A Small Death (Real Kind Records)
And what about this beauty from Oklahoma-based Samantha Crain. I’ve been following since the debut and this might even be my favorite album from her. Wonderful record. Oh and this song called Joey. Oh my heart. Just wow. A perfect end to this part of the year-end story.