Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Six
Part Seven

A new day and a new chapter in this never-ending year-end story. This one is the last that is in random order. So all albums on this post and on the earlier ones are sort of on the tied 26th place on this list. Not that the numbers really matter one damn bit. Music is love and not a competion. All albums on this list are great and dear to me. And the list could have been twice as long. I’ll never understand when folks say that there’s no good new music. There’s more than ever.

Robert Ellis – Texas Piano Man (New West Records, 2019)

This chapter starts with the Texas Piano Man aka Robert Ellis. I’m especially fond of Fucking Crazy and Father. Not that there’s anything wrong with the rest of it either. I don’t have any clue what to expect next from Robert Ellis, but I know it’s going to be awesome.

Robert Ellis at Facebook
Robert Ellis Website

Erin Enderlin – Faulkner County (Blaster Records, 2019)

Back in Nashville for some of the finest country music of the year. Erin Enderlin first released four EPs and then put the songs out a full-length album too. A very engaging album full of wonderful classic country ballads.

Erin Enderlin at Facebook
Erin Enderlin Website

Fernando Viciconte – Traitors Table (Fluff & Gravy Records, 2019)

Next stop Portland, Oregon and the powerful new album Fernando Viciconte. He collaborated with Luther Russell and created a really strong and important album. Also reminds me a bit of Big Star in a couple of songs and that’s never a bad thing. I’m loving it more with each and every listen. Instantly catchy, but forever growing too.

Fernando Viciconte at Facebook
Fernando Viciconte Website

Clara Baker – Things to Burn (independent, 2019)

Sticking in Portland for the time being (one could create a top 50 with just using Portland and Austin). I knew nothing about songwriter Clara Baker before 2019 started, but I immediately fell for the advance singles and the full record turned out to be equally strong. Fabulous songs and some additional magic from producer Shane Leonard to make them shine as brightly as possible.

Clara Baker at Facebook
Clara Baker Website

Katie Spencer – Weather Beaten (independent, 2019)

Going to Kingston upon Hull, UK for the next one. Folk musician and songwriter Katie Spencer was one of my favorite new finds of the year. Such an excellent songwriter and guitarist.

Katie Spencer at Facebook
Katie Spencer Website

M. Lockwood Porter – Communion in the Ashes (Black Mesa Records, 2019)

Heading over to Oklahoma for the new album from long time favorite M.Lockwoord Porter. Gorgeous americana and rock’n’roll and powerful social commentary about this messed up world.

M. Lockwood Porter at Facebook
M. Lockwood Porter Website

Mike and the Moonpies – Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold (Prairie Rose Record, 2019)

I hope nobody does the math, because I think I fucked up somewhere along the way there’s actually 101 albums on this. Mike and the Moonpies was always supposed to be here, but somehow I had failed to type it on my draft. Well I have to include it and it’s too late and difficult to drop anything out either. Country music with London Symphony Orchestra. Everything could go wrong with that, but nothing did. Especially You Look Good In Neon and the cover If You Want a Fool Around are just fantastic and nothing wrong with rest of it either.

Mike and the Moonpies at Facebook
The Moonpies Website

Emily Scott Robinson – Traveling Mercies (2019)

Next off to Greensboro, North Carolina and an album full of excellent songwriting from Emily Scott Robinson. The Dress, Ghost in Every Town, Borrowed Rooms and Old Floors or well actually all of the songs.

Emily Scott Robinson at Facebook
Emily Scott Robinson Website

Craig Finn – I Need a New War (Partisan Records, 2019)

I still haven’t spent enough time with the latest The Hold Steady album. If I had, that probably would have made the cut too. However, this solo album from steady Craig Finn is very special and on another day it could have easily ended up on my top 10. An exceptional songwriter.

Craig Finn at Facebook
Craig Finn Website

Tiny Ruins – Olympic Girls (Marathon Artists, 2019)

Finally this year-end review ends up in Auckland, New Zealand. The new Tiny Ruins album is simply amazing. There’s two versions of this one. I don’t really know which one is better, because I really like the solo versions too. You really can’t go wrong with either.

Tiny Ruins at Facebook
Tiny Ruins Website

Charles Wesley Godwin – Seneca (independent, 2019)

The story continues in West Virginia with captivating storytelling from songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin. This one has ruled the year-end lists of americana blogs and rightfully so. A really impressive album.

Charles Wesley Godwin at Facebook
Charles Wesley Godwin Website

Florist – Emily Alone (Double Double Whammy, 2019)

Next up is the poignant but beautiful album from Florist. According to wrapped stats from the controversial app, Florist was among my top 5 listened artists. It was maybe mildly surprising to me that I had been listening to this that much, but I do think it’s magnificent. So then again, maybe it was not at all suprising.

Florist at Facebook
Florist Website

China – And Then Nothing Happened (Royal Oakie, 2019)

Moving to San Francisco for the new album from China. I’ve been a fan of this Bay-Area folk rock band since the first EPs and they are just getting better all the time.

China at Facebook

Steven Lambke – Dark Blue (You’ve Changed Records, 2019)

Back to Canada and more precisely Toronto. You may know Steven Lambke from Constantines or from the records he released undet the moniker Baby Eagle. He has released the last two under his own given name and both of these records are marvellous.

Steven Lambke at Facebook
Steven Lambke Website

Pony Bradshaw – Sudden Opera (Rounder Records, 2019)

Over to Chatsworth, GA for an album that I had been for a few years. Absolutely fell for Pony Bradshaw a couple of years ago and bought the self-released Bad Teeth album. Then it sort of vanished, but thankfully the great reason for that was that he signed with Rounder Records and some of these same songs later appeared on his 2019 album Sudden Opera. Along with some new ones too.

Pony Bradshaw at Facebook

Heather Valley – Desert Message (independent, 2019)

Wrapping up this fifth chapter of this story in Hamilton, Ontario with one of the late diamonds of the year. I first found songwriter Heather Valley when the first single Lovejoy of her album premiered in the early November. I instantly loved it and the album that followed in late November was as great as I had hoped.

Heather Valley at Facebook
Heather Valley Website

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven

Durand Jones & Indications – American Love Call (Dead Oceans, 2019)

A new chapter starts with an American Love Call from Bloomington, Indiana. Durand Jones & The Indications has been one of my favourite soul bands for a couple of years. Durand Jones and Aaron Frazer are quite a dream team.

Durand Jones & The Indications at Facebook
Durand Jones & The Indications Website

Michaela Anne – Desert Dove (Yep Roc, 2019)

Back to Nashville, Tennessee for Michaela Anne’s beautiful new americana record Desert Dove. She also played one of my favorite concerts of the year at STHLM Americana Festival.

Michaela Anne at Facebook
Michaela Anne Website

Hallelujah the Hills – I’m You (Discrete Pancreaty Records, 2019)

Albeit this list is loaded with country and americana, this rock thing ain’t so bad either. Especially if it’s done by one of the finest American rock bands, Hallelujah the Hills from Boston, Massachusetts. Such a great record.

Hallelujah the Hills at Facebook
Hallelujah the Hills Website

Esther Rose – You Made it This Far (Father/Daughter Records, 2019)

Next stop New Orleans and again one of those favorite new finds for me. I was immediately hooked when I heard Esther Rose’s song Don’t Blame It on the Moon and the album that followed met the sky high expectations.

Esther Rose Website

Daniel Norgren – Wooh Dang (Superpuma Records, 2019)

My favorite Swedish album of the year is this timeless rootsy beauty from Daniel Norgren. Why don’t we just let love run the game.

Daniel Norgren at Facebook

Zachary Lucky – Midwestern (Wroxton Recordings, 2019)

Back on the Canadian soil in Saskatoon for the new album from country/folk singer-songwriter Zachary Lucky. Midwestern might well be his finest album to date.

Zachary Lucky at Facebook
Zachary Lucky Website

Jeremy Squires – Poem (independent, 2019)

Taking this year in review over to New Bern, North Carolina. A long time favourite songwriter Jeremy Squires released a remarkable album called Poem.

Jeremy Squires at Facebook
Jeremy Squires Website

Tyler Childers – Country Squire (RCA / Hickman Holler Records, 2019)

Next stop in Kentucky. This one doesn’t need even a short introduction. New Tyler Childers album is again a damn great one.

Tyler Childers at Facebook
Tyler Childers Website

Austin James Craig – Ghosts of Ohio (independent, 2019)

This was one of the best surprises of the year. I really loved Austin James Craig’s earlier EP and had been eagerly waiting for more of his songs for several years. Then they finally arrived out of the blue in a form of a new album called Ghosts of Ohio. And yeah, he is still a magnificent songwriter.

Austin James Craig at Facebook
Austin James Craig Website

Matt Harlan – Best Beasts (Eight 30 Records, 2019)

Going to Houston, Texas for a kindhearted and moving album Best Beasts from singer-songwriter Matt Harlan.

Matt Harlan at Facebook
Matt Harlan Website

Little Wings – People (2019)

Carrying on in So Cal with the wonderful new album from Kyle Field aka Little Wings. A beautiful addition to his impressive music vault.

Little Wings at Facebook
Little Wings Website

Small Houses – I Don’t Know What’s Safe (2019)

Back to those long time favourites and the latest one from Michigan songwriter Jeremy Quentin aka Small Houses. Last time I heard he was in Austin, Texas. Not sure what’s the location right this minute, but one this is sure, his records are still moving and beautiful.

Small Houses at Facebook

Bedouine – Bird Songs of a Kill Joy (Spacebomb Records, 2019)

Next the mesmerizing and quietly engaging new Bedouine album.

Bedouine at Facebook
Bedouine Website

Jordan Moser – Long Night (Keeled Scales, 2019)

A first dive into the Keeled Scales vaults on this year review. Jordan Moser is a folk-country songwriter from Austin, Texas and Long Night is an exceptional record.

Jordan Moser at Facebook

Beth Bombara – Evergreen (Lemp Electric, 2019)

Wrapping the part four of this 2019 story in St. Louis with the gorgeous double music video from the new Beth Bombara album Evergreen. A mighty good americana record with more than a bit of rock’n’roll too.

Beth Bombara at Facebook
Beth Bombara Website

Part One
Part Two
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven

Bart – Today, Tomorrow & The Next Day (Idee Fixe Records, 2019)

Diving into a new day and chapter three of this year-end saga. Starting from Toronto with a song from the wonderful new Bart album. This one just sounds heavenly good. Rich arrangements, beautiful harmonies, gorgeous singing.

Bart at Facebook

Matt Woods – Natural Disasters (Lonely Ones Records, 2019)

Back to Nashville via Knoxville, Tennessee for some awesome country and rock’n’roll from long time favorite Matt Woods.

Matt Woods at Facebook
Matt Woods Website

Leslie Stevens – Sinner (LyricLand, 2019)

Next off to Los Angeles to meet up with Leslie Stevens and her great new country record called Sinner.

Leslie Stevens at Facebook
Leslie Stevens Website

Jake Xerxes Fussell – Out Of Sight (Paradise of Bachelors, 2019)

A release of new Jake Xerxes Fussell album is always a parade-worthy event.

Jake Xerxes Fussell at Facebook

Paper Beat Scissors – Parallel Line (Forward Music Group, 2019)

Back in Canada and Montreal for some magical chamber folk from Paper Beat Scissors aka songwriter Tim Crabtree.

Paper Beat Scissors at Facebook
Paper Beat Scissors Website

Kelsey Waldon – White Noise / White Lines (Oh Boy Records, 2019)

It’s been fantastic to see John Prine’s label Oh Boy Records giving a platform to some great artists. There’s at least Tre Burt album coming in 2020 and in 2019 we got this fabulous country record from Nasville-based songwriter Kelsey Waldon.

Kelsey Waldon at Facebook
Kelsey Waldon Website

Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster – Take Heart Take Care (Big Legal Mess Records, 2019)

This little year in review post continues in Fayetteville, AR with another excellent solo album from Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster. My only recommendation concerning Water Liars catalogue and the solo catalogues of Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster and Andrew Bryant is buy all and everything.

Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster at Facebook
Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster Website

Continuing with the solo treasures. An incredible album from Courtney Hartman that you may know from Della Mae. Especially the first half of this record is almost otherwordly. Pure magic.

Courtney Hartman at Facebook
Courtney Hartman Website

Eamon Fogarty – Blue Values (Jealous Butcher Records, 2019)

Thanks to Adeline Hotel and Dan Knishkowy for guiding me into the arms of Blue Values. Just a magical record by songwriter Eamon Fogarty from Santa Barbara CA. The whole record is magnificent, but I love Utopia Blue, If the Spirit and God’s Guts madly.

Eamon Fogarty at Facebook

Benjamin Tod – A Heart of Gold Is Hard to Find (independent, 2019)

One of the late treasures of the year is this solo album from Benjamin Tod that came out in the end of November. The Lost Dog Street Band album Weight of A Trigger is also excellent and could be on this list just as well.

Benjamin Tod at Facebook
Lost Dog Street Band at Facebook

Joshua Ray Walker – Wish You Were Here (State Fair Records, 2019)

Back in the Texas country zone. This amazing record from singer-songwriter Joshua Ray Walker came out early in the year and stayed with me throughout the year. Canyon is the standout and probably would be one of my songs of the year, if I didn’t already include it as one of the best songs of 2018. There’s far more treasures here though than just Canyon. A great record altogether.

Joshua Ray Walker at Facebook
Joshua Ray Walker Website

VanWyck – Molten Rock (Maiden Name Records, 2019)

Next stop Amsterdam, Netherlands and the new album Molten Rock from wonderful dutch folk songwriter VanWyck. Full of really strong songwriting.

VanWyck at Facebook
VanWyck Website

Simon Joyner – Pocket Moon (BB*Island, 2019)

Simon Joyner is a true poet and one of the finest songwriters of the past couple of decades. His 2015 album Grass, Branch & Bone would be one of the first picks, if I did the decade list. This new one is also brilliant and full of powerful songwriting.

Simon Joyner at Facebook

Vetiver – Up On High (Mama Bird Recording Co / Loose Music, 2019)

Vetiver and Andy Cabic have had a huge influence on my music taste. Thing of the Past and Andy Cabic interviews were my treasure vaults in the 00s. So if you dig the direction this blog has taken during the years, Andy is part of the reason. So how cool is that Vetiver has a magical new record on my favorite label in the world, Mama Bird Recording Co. Well pretty damn cool.

Rachel Toups – Sundog (Peconic, 2019)

Wrapping up the third chapter of this story with one of my favourite new finds of the year. Rachel Toups is a songwriter, musician and visual artist from Los Angeles and her album Sundog is haunting and mesmerizing. I love the whole record, but Foxes and There have been biggest favorites since the beginning. I can’t decide which one to put here, so here they are both.

Rachel Toups at Facebook
Rachel Toups Website