Valerie June and Raleigh Keegan lead a very strong batch of new releases.
Matt Daniel
The Poet
Opens with a clever song about Impostor Syndrome, then spends the rest of the record proving that he’s got plenty of goods to stand out in a saturated market for this style of neo-traditionalism. And I’m real not mad at how much his vocal tone sounds like early Sturgill.
Valerie June
Owls, Omens, and Oracles
A new career-best, and she’s never put her inimitable voice to better or wider-ranging use. This record trades in hard-won wisdoms and impresses for the clarity with which June expresses a worldview that refuses to apologize for authentic, lived experiences.
Lucas Mason
Almost 18 [EP]
Another one of This Exact Guy, but Canadian this time in what probably counts as DEI on Music Row in 2025. Maybe a bit less genre-averse than his peers, but not in a way that’s particularly interesting. At best, these tracks are inoffensive, so there’s a cleared bar.
Helene Cronin
Maybe New Mexico
Production gets a bit one-note after a while, but what a remarkable eye for detail Cronin has as a songwriter. There are some real gut-check songs here that don’t pull their punches, and Cronin has some grit in her voice that lends gravitas to her narratives.
Brown Horse
All the Right Weaknesses
A huge improvement in the lead vocals compared to their 2024 debut, and it makes all the difference in allowing the quality of their self-described “slacker twang” to shine. This is still lo-fi alt-country, sure, but it’s a level-up in professionalism. Good on ’em.
Rachel Brooke
Sings Sad Songs
Does she ever. Brooke gives exquisite mope here, armed with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and that barbed-wire voice of hers. I’ll forgive the occasional wobble in pitch when the presence and interpretation are this unimpeachable. A singular, vital artist.
Andrew Duhon
The Parish Record
A triumph of “sense of place” songwriting and aesthetics, this finds a balance between local specificity and broad, accessible appeal. Duhon’s a singer of soul and heft, his songs are, to a one, clever and incisive, and he’s a master of multiple genre forms.
And it’s certainly my oversight– one that I’m working to correct– that he’s not been on my radar prior to this release. At his best on this set, he reminds of Todd Snider with a far superior sense of pitch.
Grey DeLisle
Grey Album
The gumption DeLisle shows throughout this sprawling cowpunk-inspired record impresses even more than her genre smarts and deep-cut influences. Could’ve withstood some edits, but even the weaker tracks fascinate for their wit, ferocity, or fearlessness.
Parmalee
Fell in Love With a Cowgirl [EP]
A couple of these tracks are… fine? Sure. They’re fine. But no three of them sound like the work of a single band, which speaks to the fundamental, unshakable anonymity of a band that, 12 years (!!) after their first hit, still needs to tell us their names.
Raleigh Keegan
Appalachian High Act I
Another shocking level-up from a would-be mainstream guy: Here’s the best album in this vein of modern country recast as ‘grass since Dierks Bentley’s Up On the Ridge a lifetime ago. The songs are legit clever, and Keegan delivers with clarity, grit, and soul. A real surprise.
Linc Phelps
Faith & Sweat
The lyrics rarely rise above broad, familiar platitudes, though the songs are quite well-constructed. Production’s a bit too MOR aughts country, too. But here’s another singer with spectacular technical, interpretive skills to put the genre’s A-list men on notice.
…the matt daniel album sounds incredibly good in almost all departments. other than mr. keefe, his vocals almost instantly reminded me of chris young. not too shabby a reference either vocal-wise, i guess. the only thing missing is an attempt or two at coming up with a hit. there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious and eventually even on the charts in my book. especially, when possessing such an amount of skills.
grey delisle – if looking for a spectacular name, look no further. enjoyed that one quite a bit on first listen.
the valerie june album i have to save for a moment when i can give it my full attention.
linc phelps, doesn’t look the part, doesn’t sound the part – better luck with someone else’s duck test.