Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for February 2nd, 2024. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp or the artist’s site for ordering or downloading. A + sign means although not a featured release, it’s a notable album that’s still worth checking out. Also, this page will be updated as I find out about other new releases so check back again.
Matt the Electrician
The Ocean Knocked Me Down (independent)
Matt the Electrician returns with his new studio album, recorded at The Aerie in Austin, where Matt had recorded 4 of his previous records. To call this a pandemic record might be slightly misguided, even though most of the songs were in fact written during 2020 and 2021. But the vibe of the record is upbeat, and weird, and fun, and sometimes sad, but hopeful, and occasionally poignant, and silly, and hopeful, but ridiculous, and also hopeful. You might think that’s a lot of vibes, but there are 16 songs on the record, because we’ve all been through a lot, and so Matt figured that, this time, everyone deserved a few more songs and a few more vibes than usual. “Matt the Electrician proves singer/songwriters can be funny without being clowns and thoughtful without being overwrought.” – Amplifier
Rod Picott
Starlight Tour (self-released)
Rod Picott so vividly conveys the lives of those on the edge, struggling to earn a living or those just too exhausted to carry on. Much of his inspiration is personal; he has lived that life himself. A trademark of his writing are the characters through whom he portrays his vista of bleakness. Starlight Tour is a bit different. Unchanged is Picott’s relentless melancholy. What is different is his perspective. He looks back at his life but also ponders darkly what lies ahead. With far fewer years to go than have passed, Picott, who lost his mother three years ago and fears for his elderly father, thinks about his own mortality, a theme that runs through the entire album. There is a sense of reckoning but also defiance, grace, and dignity. (edited from No Depression review)
Also new this week…
Charm City Junction – Salt Box (self-released)
Taylor McCall – Mellow War (Black Powder Soul Records) +
Elexa Dawson & Stanley Hotel – Wanderlust (Turns Out Records)
The Roseline – Keystone of the Heart (RPH Records)
Brit Taylor – Kentucky Bluegrassed (Cut A Shine Records)
Lori Yates – Matador (Laly Music)
Coming out soon … The Dead South, Eric Brace and Thomm Jutz, Corb Lund, Missy Raines, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Seth James, The High Hawks, Béla Fleck, Vanessa Peters, Joe Pug, The Steel Wheels, Waxahatchee, Anna Moss, Sierra Ferrell, Rees Shad, Kitchen Dwellers, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, JJ Grey & Mofro, Aoife O’Donovan, The Coal Men, Charley Crockett, Pi Jacobs, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Lost Dog Street Band and more!
