Don’t Count Out These 3 Americana Albums When Debating the Best Releases of 2024

If it has not yet been made very apparent, yes, the 58th Annual CMA Awards happened recently and showcased some of country music’s finest acts. Between Chris Stapleton’s three awards and George Strait’s tribute show, it was a memorable night and a grand celebration for country music. However, if you are a country music fan who is over the glitz, glamour, rhinestones, and pageantry, we got you Americana fans covered.

There is no doubt that Nashville’s country music scene is the premier stage for the genre. What this entails is an imbalance in what music gets marketed to the masses and what music doesn’t. That being so, for other artists, particularly Americana ones, their music can sit on the back burner for a little too long. But, we are here to give them the promotion they deserve. With that in mind, here are three incredible Americana country albums to grace the airwaves in 2024.

‘Highway Prayers’ by Billy Strings

Once again, Billy Strings stuns fans with his bluegrass psychedelic transfusion in his album, Highway Prayers. Released in September, the album includes 20 original compositions of old and new-school bluegrass music. Upon its release, the album reached No. 1 on the bluegrass charts and No. 22 on the Billboard 200.

Thanks to its sheer musical quality, Strings’ album became the first bluegrass album since O Brother, Where Art Thou? to peak at No. 1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales chart. This is a huge accomplishment given the under-represented Americana/bluegrass genre Strings toils in.

‘$10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas’ by Charley Crockett

Charley Crockett is more country than country music. Surely, many people would agree and it’s partially thanks to his 2024 album,  $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas. Released in July of 2024, the album very well could have debuted in July of 1945. That is simply how rich and nostalgically fresh Crockett’s Americana music is.

Following its July release, Crockett’s album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. Despite not yet charting any major lists, Crockett’s album, recorded in Austin, is a testament that great country music extends far beyond the confines of Nashville.

‘Trail of Flowers’ by Sierra Ferrell

The trumping troubadour, Sierra Ferrell, remains a focal piece of the Americana genre thanks to her 2024 album, Trail of Flowers. Ferrell released her fourth full-length album in March of 2024, and since then, it has received nothing but glorious praises. Particularly thanks to the songs “I Could Drive You Crazy” and “American Dreaming.”

Matter of fact, “American Dreaming” debuted at No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts and received a nomination for Song of the Year at the 2024 Americana Honors & Awards. As a whole, the album also graced numerous charts including the Billboard 200 and the Country Albums chart, where it reached No. 25.

Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Concert For Carolina