This week, we feast on additional bonus content from Jason Hawk Harris and Miko Marks and The Resurrectors.
Jason Hawk Harris
Breakup Songs are Love Songs, Too, Vol. 1 [EP]
His B-sides and castoffs shame the work of most of his contemporaries. This collection is more accessible than Thin Places, and more straightforwardly country-centered. He’s said it’s his last genre work for a while, which is a bummer, but he’s going out on a high.
Jayne Denham
Moonshine
As rock solid and rock-leaning as Denham’s albums always are, her consistency is a testament to her confidence in her rough-edged brand. She keeps the spirit and sound of Tanya Tucker’s TNT era alive in all the best ways. As ever, she deserves a bigger US following.
Matt Stell
Born Lonely
Straight-down-the-middle Music Row country in 2024: Never more or less than competently written and performed, without anything so distinctive as the ink on the album cover. It’s fine for what it is, but how will anyone pick him out of a lineup in 5 years’ time?
Skip Ewing
Road to California
As under-the-radar as ever, Ewing returns with another album of songs that reaffirm that he deserved a whole lot better than he got over the course of his career. If nothing else, a savvy veteran act would source this record for strong cover material.
Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
Electrified
The vibe here is killer, with an energy that is, appropriately enough, plugged in and dialed up. And they have a knack for catchy song structure. Lyrically, the songs don’t necessarily keep pace, with an over-reliance on clichés. But a good time, still.
Jesse Daniel
Countin’ the Miles
Another winning trad-country album in a year chock full of them, Daniel impresses for the clarity of his singing and his POV in a field that’s getting a bit crowded. A sharp, focused set that is his best record to date, this should break him a little bigger.
Miko Marks and The Resurrectors
Feel Like Going Home (Deluxe Edition)
An already brilliant, essential album gets an upgrade thanks to game collaborators, thoughtfully curated new tracks. Now, it plays like the rare double-album that actually justifies its own run time. Marks remains one of modern country’s most vital acts.
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