Adele- “I Drink Wine” (Columbia)
My current favorite cut from the new Adele release. That’s attributed to more than just the deliciously boozy delivery of the hook line that gives the song its title, though that subtle moment is stupendous. It’s her bittersweet and frank acknowledgement of her faults, including the universal downfalls that plague us all at certain stops in our life journeys: the challenges of accepting ourselves and the circumstances that we cannot control, and the liberation provided when one somehow manages to conquer that skill. The chilling spoken excerpt at the song’s conclusion adds an additional layer of raw vulnerability and honesty, and is as revealing as any other moment in her catalog.
Franz Ferdinand- “Billy Goodbye” (Domino)
A new single that will appear on the indie rock favorites’ upcoming compilation, the tremendously titled Hits to the Head, “Billy Goodbye” finds Franz Ferdinand in perhaps the loosest and most joyous rock setting of their entire career. Alex Kapranos just sounds so invigorated and sly on this record and the overall proceedings have a vivid Elvis Costello post-punk vibe. A new highlight for your current playlists.
Hurray for the Riff Raff- “RHODODENDRON” (Nonesuch)
Alynda Segarra and friends return after a long silence by previewing the follow up to 2017’s The Navigator, and it quickly becomes clear that the band has only further built upon their unique artistic identity in the half-decade since their last batch of new music. “RHODODENDRON” rides a soft yet snarly delivery from Segarra, while painting a mysterious melting pot of spirited folk and psychedelic narratives that are a treat to try and dissect.
Alan Jackson- “Racing the Dark” (ACR)
An excellent return-to-form release from one of today’s greatest living legends. I overall enjoyed Where Have You Gone, Jackson’s spring LP that ended a six year recording silence. But there was something about that album that just didn’t resonate on the same level as typical Alan releases. Co-written with his daughter, “Racing the Dark” fills that void, and it’s easily my favorite single of his since 2012’s “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anyway”. The performance is gracefully arranged and sung, and the song’s story itself, a portrait of a young divorced woman struggling to reclaim her life as her own, possesses the kind of specificity and emotional storytelling that Jackson built his entire legacy upon.
Keb’ Mo’ featuring Darius Rucker- “Good Strong Woman” (Rounder)
A delightful collaboration that marries the very best qualities of both artists, with Keb’ Mo’ providing the soulfully stripped framework that is a hallmark of his work, and subsequently showcases the most endearing qualities and true depth of Rucker’s engaging voice. Simple and sweet, sincere and inspired all-around.
Miranda Lambert- “If I Was A Cowboy” (RCA)
Miranda Lambert has been busy as hell this past year with a multitude of side-projects and collaborations, but also manages to find the time to drop this stand-alone radio release. It’s certainly not going to be confused as a milestone moment in her storied catalog, but it sure as hell is a charming one-off that stands to illuminate the banal country airwaves. It plays like a laid-back, country take on the narrative in Taylor Swift’s “The Man”. Which in turn does make it less potent and memorable, but it’s also one of those breezy, modern C&W moments that we sure as hell could use more of in the Nashville scene.
Raul Malo and Jamey Johnson- “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” (Thirty Tigers)
The original 1984 classic from Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias is of course one of the most revered entries in the canon of Urban Cowboy-era country camp. That wink and smile mentality is certainly not lost on Malo and Johnson here, but they do bestow upon the song a refreshed sense of heart and regality by parlaying it into a sweet, brooding bout of country-soul. They sound great together, and remind us first why we still love anything Raul Malo graces his golden pipes with, and second how overdue a new Johnson album is.
Mike and the Moonpies- “Paycheck to Paycheck” (Prairie Rose)
A full-throttled, unapologetic deep dive into neo-trad honky tonk to cleanse any twangy deficiencies you’re currently struggling through. This band has always been hot as a firecracker and this lead single from their seventh studio set is clearly no different. Rip-roaring twangy vocals and glorious, finger-licking steel around every turn.
Kylie Minogue and Years & Years- “A Second to Midnight” (Darenote)
This bonus cut from her recent revisitation of last year’s excellent Disco finds the preeminent godmother of dance unleashing another red-hot bop that will get you burning up the floor like its 1979, or in this song’s case apparently, 1999. In any event, Minogue once again reminds us that these sounds are not as time-trapped as so many allege.
Reckless Kelly- “You Don’t Want Me Around” (No Big Deal)
One of the original demos recorded on the infamous date of September 11, 2001 and housed on the band’s newly released The 9/11 Demos, this is a primitive version of the track that eventually landed as a full studio cut on Under the Table and Above the Sun two years later. What this performance, and the others it joins on this release, reminds us is just how long Reckless Kelly has been one of Red Dirt’s most consistent and reliably sturdy outfits. It’s a demo of an already heard song sure, but it’s played and presented so tightly that it could easily pass itself off as the band’s newest single.
Shovels & Rope- “Domino” (Dualtone)
A welcome return from one of the most formidable roots music acts on the planet today. “Domino” taps into the all the essential ingredients that have defined Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst’s very best moments from the last decade: swaggering swamp-rock, muddy river blues tendencies, and joyously rapid-fire vocals to die for. This one feels more triumphant with each listen.
Silk Sonic- “Smokin’ Out the Window” (Atlantic)
“Got her badass kids running around my crib like it’s Chuck E. Cheese….Just the other night she was grippin’ on me tight, screaming ‘Hercules'”. Who but Mars and .Paak could pull off such ridiculous lyrics unscathed? But that’s precisely what they do in this over-the-top gold digger’s rampage, thanks to both their unflappable charisma and unflinching musical intuitions. Without those two key elements, much of the Silk Sonic project would be dangerously teetering on the verge of soul satire or parody. Instead, it’s one of the most entertaining and reverent revivals in many moons, and “Smokin'” is another undeniable and irresistible smash.
Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton- “I Bet You Think About Me” (Republic)
Sure, much of these Taylor Swift re-recording releases can’t help but feel like redundant overkill from a consumption standpoint, but they’ve also offered a fair share of gems in the form of unearthed tracks such as this, undoubtedly a full-on bid to reclaim some of her old country airspace. They’ve also reaffirmed what a sharp songwriter she’s always been, and demonstrated how far she’s come as a vocalist. This feels like a grown-up version of 2011’s “Mean”, and it’s undeniably nostalgic and entertaining to hear her returning to contemporary country kiss-off territory. Her classic snark is on its A-game and the appearances by both Chris Stapleton’s harmonies and a harmonica arrangement are tremendous touches, but nothing solidifies the record more than this sobering verse: “Now you’re out in the world, searching for your soul. Scared not to be hip, scared to get old. Chasin’ make-believe status, last time you felt free, was when none of that shit mattered ’cause you were with me.” Ouch. Play it loud, country radio. You know you want to.
Aaron Lee Tasjan- “Traveling After Dark” (Royal Potato)
Tasjan’s year was highlighted by one of the best records of his underrated career, and he caps it off here with an appearance on the recent Neal Casal tribute album. It’s an excellent homage to an equally unique singer-songwriter and quiet roots music trendsetter. He taps into the most subtly haunting corners of his voice and it pares tremendously with the organ-framed production.
Twenty One Pilots- “The Outside” (Elektra)
Slightly spooky, undeniably slinky and seductively psychedelic, the latest release from T1P’s thrilling current album is a prime example of their natural ability to marry alternative, rock and hip-hop sounds old and new with unflinching confidence and aplomb. Chalk up another smash for this duo.
Zachary Williams featuring Robert Ellis- “Game For Guessing” (Dualtone)
The Lone Bellow vocalist takes a solo detour with the LP, Dirty Camaro and this rock-solid lead single, which finds the project’s producer and reliable Americana troubadour in Ellis joining him for a rollicking, sawdusted outing that vibrantly showcases the two singers’ more country-rock leaning tendencies.
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