We’ve reached the end of the first workweek of spring and our reward is a crop of new country and Americana albums. The great music is in full bloom today. In fact, one could even say the fields are overflowing with a variety of albums and EPs from an eclectic group of artists.
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No matter what your weekend plans look like, you’ll find the perfect soundtrack in the bountiful harvest we’ve been offered this week. There are new albums from mainstream country greats like Kenny Chesney and Chris Young. Those who prefer independent music will be happy to see new releases from Sierra Ferrell and Cody Jinks among others. Additionally, Charlie Parr dropped a top-notch blues record, and The Lucky Ones cooked up some blue ribbon-worthy bluegrass.
Standout Releases
Sierra Ferrell never fails to impress. Her songwriting is rock-solid and her ethereal voice could easily be compared to a young Dolly Parton. However, listeners will never hear Ferrell trying to be anyone but herself. Add those things to the instrumentation that combines classic country, bluegrass, and old-time and you’ve got a winning combination.
Trail of Flowers is the perfect follow-up to her 2021 outing Long Time Coming. The new album encapsulates Ferrell’s range as a singer and songwriter. It also highlights the fact that her band is made up of stylistic chameleons with deep respect for and understanding of the foundational traditional sounds of Americana.
Standout Tracks: “Fox Hunt” “Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County” “I’ll Come off the Mountain”
Cody Jinks’ new album Change the Game is among the best country releases of the year. Jinks flexed his songwriting skill on what he calls the most vulnerable record he’s ever released. To listen to Change the Game is to get inside Jinks’ mind and see what he’s lived through since he released Mercy.
[RELATED: Charlie Parr Discusses the New Path He Took on His Upcoming Album ‘Little Sun’]
Standout Tracks: “Take This Bottle” “What You Love” “A Few More Ghosts”
New Country and Americana Albums for March 22, 2024
- Trail of Flowers—Sierra Ferrell
- Change the Game—Cody Jinks
- Little Sun—Charlie Parr
- Mother—The Wandering Hearts
- The Way of the World—T Bear
- Queen Kerosene—Alex Jordan
- Bright Future—Adrianne Lenker
- On the Ride here—Sam Morrow
- Needlefull—Magic Tuber String Band
- All My Friends—Aoife O’Donnovan
- California Sun—Ted Russell Kamp
- Tigers Blood—Waxahatchee
- Alabama Sound—Taylor Hunnicutt
- Creekbed Carter—Creekbed Carter
- December Last Call—Driftwood
- Goodbye Country Stars—David Beck
- The Frontmen—The Frontmen
- Strange Places—Chasen Wayne
- Nickle for the Fiddler—The Lucky Ones
- Change Is Now: A Tribute to The Byrds
- Born—Kenny Chesney
- Young Love and Saturday Night—Chris Young
- Songs in the Gravel (EP)—Dylan Gossett
- Weakness, Etc. (EP)—Ruston Kelly
- Break Mine (EP)—Brothers Osborne
Featured Image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach
