Best, Favorite, & Most Interesting Albums Of 2025
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Lord Huron- Genre: Indie Rock / Alternative / Indie Folk.
- Influenced by: Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Paul Simon.
- Similar artists: Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket, The War on Drugs, Local Natives, Lord Huron’s own earlier work.
- About this album: The record expands the band’s dreamlike, narrative-rich approach to indie folk and rock, featuring contributions from collaborators including actress Kristen Stewart (“Who Laughs Last”) and Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead (“Fire Eternal”).
- Metacritic Score: 74 (generally favorable reviews). Metacritic
- Awards / nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Nothing I Need” — wistful, regretful song about choosing the open road over a past love, only to realize you left behind what you truly needed.
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Lucy Dacus- Genre: Indie rock / Folk-pop / Chamber-pop / Singer-Songwriter.
- Influenced by: Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Fiona Apple, Elliott Smith, Regina Spektor, Dolly Parton.
- Similar artists: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Hozier, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, Big Thief.
- About this album: The record blends lush instrumentation — strings, piano, synths, guitars — with Dacus’s intimate, confessional songwriting, producing a warm, textured, and emotionally candid soundscape. Lyrically, it explores desire, identity, romantic longing, obsession, and love, often drawn from her personal life and relationships. Features guest vocals from her bandmates in boygenius (Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker), as well as a collaboration with Hozier.
- Metacritic Score: 75 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for the 2026 Grammy Award for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical.
- Song To Sample: “Ankles” — the lead single, with its sensual energy, romantic yearning, and bold embrace of desire, exemplifies the album’s blend of vulnerability and intensity.
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Julien Baker, TORRES- Genre: Alt-Country.
- Influenced by: Brandi Carlile, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Steve Earle, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill.
- Similar artists: Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, Liza Anne, Hayes Carll.
- About this album: Co-produced with Sarah Tudzin, the record blends Baker’s and Scott’s indie roots with country and Americana influences, creating a heartfelt and reflective collection that wrestles with themes of love, regret, spirituality, humor, and everyday struggles.
- Metacritic Score: 77 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Sugar in the Tank” — a standout duet that juxtaposes affectionate storytelling with classic country instrumentation.
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The War and Treaty- Genre: Soul / Americana / Gospel / Folk-Rock.
- Influenced by: Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke.
- Similar artists: Yola, Alabama Shakes, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Brandi Carlile.
- About this album: Recorded largely at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the 18-track set blends elements of country, gospel, blues, folk-rock, symphonic pop, and contemporary soul into a sweeping, emotionally expressive body of work.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Blank Page” — a signature track that captures the duo’s emotional intensity, gospel-inflected vocal power, and commitment-driven lyrical core.
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Chrissie Hynde- Genre: Rock / New Wave / Alternative / Indie.
- Influenced by: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix, Iggy Pop.
- Similar artists: Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Raitt, Nick Lowe, Marianne Faithfull.
- About this album: The record brings together Hynde with a wide range of guest vocalists and longtime friends from across rock, folk, and Americana, reworking select classics alongside newly recorded material. Featuring k.d. lang, Lucinda Williams, Cat Power, Rufus Wainwright, Debby Harry, Julian Lennon, and others.
- Metacritic Score: 78 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: "Always On My Mind" with Wainwright, a stripped-down, Western-tinged, bittersweet version of the classic ballad.
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Van Morrison- Genre: Folk-Rock / Soul / Jazz.
- Influenced by: Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Hank Williams, John Lee Hooker, Billie Holiday.
- Similar artists: Paul Weller, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson.
- About this album: Van Morrison is "Back to Writing Love Songs" on this album, marking a return to original songwriting after a series of cover albums and reworkings of his songs. A reflective record, focusing on themes of memory, morality, spirituality, and the passage of time. Musically, it blends folk-rock, soul, jazz, blues, and gospel flourishes.
- Metacritic Score: 79 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Back to Writing Love Songs," a self-referential standout that captures the nostalgic tone of the album.
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Kathleen Edwards- Genre: Indie Rock / Folk‑Rock / Alternative Singer‑Songwriter.
- Influenced by: Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, Patti Griffin.
- Similar artists: Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, Courtney Marie Andrews, Steve Earle, Margo Price, First Aid Kit.
- About this album: Produced by Jason Isbell and Gena Johnson, the record marks Edwards’s return to original music following a five‑year gap since 2020’s Total Freedom and nearly a decade after her earlier hiatus from the industry. Drawing on roots‑informed rock, Americana, and introspective storytelling, the album blends driving guitar work, warm melodic textures, and Edwards’s candid vocal delivery. Billionaire navigates themes of loss, nostalgia, personal growth, and emotional resilience.
- Metacritic Score: 78 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Save Your Soul,” a standout track with melodic urgency and heartfelt lyricism that exemplifies the album’s blend of roots ambiance and rock energy.
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Greensky Bluegrass- Genre: Bluegrass / Americana / Roots.
- Influenced by: Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Del McCoury.
- Similar artists: Billy Strings, Sam Bush, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lindsey Lou, Aoife O’Donovan, Holly Bowling.
- About this album: Issued to commemorate the band’s 25th anniversary, the record revisits and reimagines songs from throughout their career, with the quintet joined by a roster of longtime friends and collaborators on select tracks — including Sam Bush, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff, Aoife O’Donovan, Lindsey Lou, Holly Bowling, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman, Jason Hann, and Ivan Neville.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Reverend (feat. Billy Strings)” — a dynamic reinterpretation of a classic tune that captures the celebratory spirit and collaborative ethos of the album.
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Little Feat- Genre: Rock / Southern Rock / Roots Rock.
- Influenced by: Frank Zappa, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, The Meters, The Beatles.
- Similar artists: The Allman Brothers Band, The Band, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Traffic, J.J. Cale.
- About this album: The band's first full album of original material in over a decade, featuring the lineup of Bill Payne, Scott Sharrard, Fred Tackett, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney, and Tony Leone, continuing Little Feat’s blend of rootsy rock, funk rhythms, blues-tinged grooves, and lyrical wit. Guest appearances by Larkin Poe and Molly Tuttle (both of whom appear elsewhere on this list).
- Metacritic Score: 76 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Too High to Cut My Hair” — a horn-infused, groove-driven track.
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Amanda Shires- Genre: Americana / Folk-Rock / Country / Singer-Songwriter.
- Influenced by: Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, John Prine, Gillian Welch, Neil Young.
- Similar artists: Margo Price, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Sarah Jarosz.
- About this album: Written and recorded in the aftermath of her highly publicized divorce from Jason Isbell, the album is an unflinching exploration of autonomy, grief, anger, resilience, and self-definition. Musically, it blends Americana, folk-rock, and subtle country textures with Shires’s expressive violin work and sharply observational songwriting. An excellent album, unfortunately somewhat overshadowed by an exceptional year in new music releases, including Isbell's own post-divorce folk masterpiece that shows up elsewhere on this list.
- Metacritic Score: 78 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: Americana Music Association Awards nominee for Album of the Year.
- Song To Sample: "The Details," a devastatingly honest track about the aftermath of her marriage, featuring sharp lyrics about rewriting memories and feeling erased.
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Eliza Gilkyson- Genre: Folk / Americana / Singer‑Songwriter.
- Influenced by: Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams.
- Similar artists: Shawn Colvin, Mary Gauthier, Patty Griffin, John Gorka, Greg Brown, Ani DiFranco.
- About this album: The album’s songs confront the political, cultural, and emotional turbulence of the contemporary moment while also offering threads of resilience and hope.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Dark Night of the Soul,” an impassioned track that captures the album’s call to resilience in face of turmoil and the blend of folk tradition with contemporary commentary.
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Josh Ritter- Genre: Indie Folk / Americana / Alternative Folk.
- Influenced by: Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch.
- Similar artists: Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Josh Ritter (earlier work), Jason Isbell, Jeff Tweedy, The Decemberists.
- Produced by Sam Kassirer and recorded with Ritter’s Royal City Band, the album finds Ritter addressing his muse — his creative spark, affectionately termed “Honeydew” — across ten tracks that blend introspective lyricism with Americana-tinged instrumentation, piano, roots rock, and occasional oddball touches. The record weaves through contemplative storytelling, mythic imagery, and reflections on life, inspiration, and belief.
- Metacritic Score: 79 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “You Won’t Dig My Grave,” the lead track that opens with choral warmth and sets the tone for the album’s blend of introspective lyricism and compelling roots arrangements.
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Noah Cyrus- Genre: Indie Folk / Americana / Country-Pop.
- Influenced by: Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Bob Dylan, Bill Callahan.
- Similar artists: Fleet Foxes, Bill Callahan, Blake Shelton, Ella Langley, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
- About this album: The second studio album by American singer‑songwriter Noah Cyrus. The 11‑track project expands on her introspective songwriting with rich folk and Americana influences and features notable collaborations with Fleet Foxes, Ella Langley, Blake Shelton, and Bill Callahan. The record explores themes of family, personal growth, self‑discovery, and emotional connection, blending acoustic instrumentation with elements of folk‑pop and country.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “I Saw the Mountains,” an evocative lead track that encapsulates the album’s melding of introspective lyricism with folk‑rich instrumentation.
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Turnpike Troubadours- Genre: Red Dirt / Americana / American Roots.
- Influenced by: Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Merle Haggard, Steve Earle, Jerry Reed, Old Crow Medicine Show.
- Similar artists: Cody Jinks, Colter Wall, Charley Crockett, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Sierra Ferrell.
- About this album: The album, one of several on this year's list produced by Shooter (son of Waylon) Jennings, was released with virtually no traditional promotion, blends the group’s signature storytelling with warm instrumentation (fiddle, steel guitar, Telecaster leads, and vocal harmonies, all the stuff the usual trappings of a Troubadours album). Songs explore reflection, redemption, and nostalgia.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “On the Red River” — a slow, emotional song co-written by frontman Evan Felker and Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor,
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Florence + The Machine- Genre: Alternative Rock / Indie Rock / Art Pop / Gothic Folk.
- Influenced by: Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Stevie Nicks, Björk, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey-era folk-goth aesthetics.
- Similar artists: Bat for Lashes, St. Vincent, First Aid Kit, Warpaint, Florence + the Machine (earlier albums), Mitski.
- About this album: Florence + The Machine’s sixth studio album arrived on Halloween 2025 as a haunting, high-concept "folk-horror" masterpiece. Coming three years after "Dance Fever," the record channels lead vocalist Florence Welch’s personal confrontation with life, mortality, trauma, and rebirth — shaped in part by a near-fatal health crisis in 2023.
- Metacritic Score: 81 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “One of the Greats” — the lead single and commanding opener.
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Larkin Poe- Genre: Blues Rock / Southern Rock / Roots Rock / Americana.
- Influenced by: Mississippi Fred McDowell, Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers Band, Bonnie Raitt, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Muddy Waters.
- Similar artists: The Black Keys, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Brittany Howard, Marcus King, Elle King.
- About this album: The eighth studio album by the American Roots rock band led by sisters Rebecca Lovell and Megan Lovell. While still rooted in Southern blues traditions, Bloom expands the band’s sound with pop-leaning hooks, soulful ballads, and polished yet gritty production. .
- Metacritic Score: 76 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for the 2026 Grammy award for Best Americana Album.
- Song To Sample: “Bluephoria” — a swaggering, hook-driven standout.
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Alex G- Genre: Indie Rock / Alternative / Singer-Songwriter / Folk-Pop.
- Influenced by: Neil Young, Elliott Smith, Lucinda Williams, Pavement, Wilco, Daniel Johnston.
- Similar artists: mac deMarco, Frankie Cosmos, Beach Fossils, The National (indie era), Spoon, Car Seat Headrest.
- About this album: The tenth studio album by Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter Alex G (Alex Giannascoli), released July 18, 2025 on RCA Records. It marks his major-label debut after years of critically acclaimed independent releases, and finds him refining his sound into a mix of intimate indie rock, soft folk-pop, and textured alt-rock arrangements.
- Metacritic Score: 83 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Afterlife” — a mandolin-tinged, wistful standout that exemplifies the album’s blend of nostalgic lyricism, melodic clarity, and emotional warmth.
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Pulp- Genre: Art Rock / Alternative Rock.
- Influenced by: David Bowie, Roxy Music, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Scott Walker, Pet Shop Boys.
- Similar artists: Suede, Blur, The Divine Comedy, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, Elbow.
- About this album: Pulp extends their signature sharp social observation and theatrical art-rock pop into more expansive, emotionally reflective terrain. Combining danceable grooves, cinematic arrangements, and incisive lyricism, the album explores themes of personal identity, memory, desire, aging, and cultural commentary. C
- Metacritic Score: 83 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Night of a Thousand Hours” — an expansive standout that showcases Pulp’s blend of art-pop lyricism, atmospheric arrangement, and narrative depth.
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Eric Church- Genre: Country / Folk / Prog-Rock.
- Influenced by: Queen, The Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Levon Helm.
- Similar artists: Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Cody Jinks, Cody Johnson, Sturgill Simpson.
- About this album: Produced by Jay Joyce, it is a high-concept "Country-Rock Opera" that pits organic creativity (personified by "Evangeline") against the soul-crushing nature of technology and modern industry (the "Machine"). The eight‑track record blends cinematic instrumentation — including choir, brass, and strings — with themes that explore the tension between creativity and commercial expectation, the passage of time, resilience, and artistic autonomy. A HIGHLY polarizing album, some critics felt it was overly produced, but this record was unavoidable in 2025 and Church deserves points for the sheer audacity and artistic ambition of it all.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for the 2026 Grammy award for Best Contemporary Country Album.
- Song To Sample: “Hands of Time,” the lead single that encapsulates the album’s reflective themes and Church’s interplay between personal retrospection and broader musical homage.
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Big Thief- Genre: Indie Rock / Alternative / Folk‑Rock.
- Influenced by: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, The Band, Sonic Youth, Neil Halstead.
- Similar artists: Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Big Sean, Alex G, boygenius, Mitski · Bright Eyes, Slaughter Beach, Dog.
- About this album: The band’s first album released as a trio following the departure of longtime bassist Max Oleartchik and was recorded with an expanded circle of collaborators at The Power Station in New York City. The nine‑track record departs somewhat from the band’s earlier, more organic folk‑rock sound toward a more experimental, immersive palette — balancing meditative, atmospheric textures, layered instrumentation, and stream‑of‑consciousness lyricism.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Incomprehensible,” a standout track that encapsulates the album’s blend of introspection, layered instrumentation, and emotional nuance.
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Neko Case- Genre: Indie Rock / Alternative / Singer-Songwriter / Noir.
- Influenced by: Leonard Cohen, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, PJ Harvey, Björk, Bruce Springsteen.
- Similar artists: Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Courtney Barnett, Big Thief, Torres, Lucy Dacus.
- About this album: Her first solo album in seven years and the first time Case produced a record entirely herself, taking full creative control of the sound and vision. The album blends alternative rock, chamber pop, folk, and country-tinged textures, often pairing lush arrangements (including orchestral elements) with deeply personal and evocative lyricism.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: The haunting, expressive, “Winchester Mansion of Sound."
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Lukas Nelson- Genre: Country / Americana / Folk‑Rock / Singer‑Songwriter.
- Influenced by: Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Gram Parsons.
- Similar artists: Cody Jinks, Colter Wall, Charley Crockett, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Jerry Jeff Walker.
- About this album: The first solo studio album by Lukas Nelson, released June 20, 2025 via Sony Music Nashville. Another album produced by Shooter Jennings, the record marks Nelson’s debut outside of his longtime band "Promise of the Real" and finds him embracing a deeply Americana‑rooted yet personally reflective sound. Across twelve tracks, including collaborations with Sierra Ferrell and Stephen Wilson Jr., Nelson’s songwriting explores themes of life on the road, love, loss, self‑discovery, legacy, and the vast American landscape that shaped him.
- Metacritic Score: 76 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for the 2026 Grammy award for Best Traditional Country Album (and, yes, he's TOTALLY nominated in the same category as his Dad).
- Song To Sample: “Ain’t Done,” a reflective track that opens the album with lyrical introspection and melodic warmth.
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Japanese Breakfast- Genre: Indie Pop / Indie Rock / Coffeehouse.
- Influenced by: David Bowie, Kate Bush, Björk, St. Vincent, Fleetwood Mac, PJ Harvey.
- Similar artists: Mitski, Beach House, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Alvvays, Blondie.
- About this album: The record blends lush orchestration, layered guitar and string arrangements, and narrative songwriting that often engages with mythic imagery, emotional introspection, and literary themes. Lyrically, the album examines love, loss, mortality, identity, and anxiety through characters and scenarios that range from intimate self‑reflection to cinematic storytelling.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Picture Window” — a standout with its blend of introspective lyricism and dramatic melodic sweep.
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The Weather Station- Genre: Indie-Folk / Folk-Rock / Spoken Word / Coffeehouse.
- Influenced by: Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Björk, Nick Drake, Radiohead, David Byrne.
- Similar artists: Sharon Van Etten, Big Thief, Sufjan Stevens, Sam Amidon, Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes.
- About this album: Recorded with a collective of musicians including Kieran Adams, Ben Boye, Karen Ng, and Sam Amidon, the album blends folk, jazz, ambient textures, synths, strings, and improvisational elements into richly layered arrangements that reflect on identity, connection, dissociation, personal crisis, and the broader human condition.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Longlisted for the prestigious Canadian Polaris Music Prize.
- Song To Sample: “Neon Signs,” a vibrant and expressive opening track that encapsulates the album’s blend of introspective lyricism and richly textured arrangements.
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Charley Crockett- Genre: Country / Americana / Western Swing / Gulf Coast Soul.
- Influenced by: Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash, George Jones.
- Similar artists: Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Sturgill Simpson, Orville Peck, Willie Nelson.
- Recorded with his longtime touring band, the record blends honky-tonk, blues, western swing, and folk with understated arrangements that foreground Crockett’s conversational vocal delivery and knack for memorable melodic phrasing. Dollar a Day arrived in the same year as Crockett’s companion 2025 release Lonesome Drifter, a more expansive and sonically adventurous album that explored broader stylistic territory while maintaining his core devotion to traditional forms. Another produced by Shooter Jennings.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for 2026 Grammy for Best Traditional Country Album. Americana Music Association Awards nominee for Album of the Year.
- Song To Sample: “Hard Luck & Circumstance” — a quintessential Crockett track.
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Patterson Hood- Genre: Alternative / Americana / Singer-songwriter / Alt-Country / Cinematic Folk-Rock.
- Influenced by: Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Warren Zevon, Nick Cave, Bruce Springsteen.
- Similar artists: Waxahatchee, Jason Isbell, James McMurtry, Kevin Morby, Wednesday, Son Volt.
- About this album: Patterson takes a detour from Drive-By Truckers to deliver his first solo album in more than a decade, and what an album it turned out to be. Produced by Chris Funk and recorded at studios in Georgia and Oregon, Hood expands beyond his usual guitar-driven roots: many songs are built around piano, and the arrangements often include woodwinds, strings, saxophone, and other nontraditional instruments. Deeply introspective, Hood revisits Alabama winters, adolescent heartbreak, and the emotional weight of history, trauma, and personal growth. Several tracks on this album were originally written decades ago — some as far back as the early 1980s — but never recorded until now. One of the most purely literate albums in ages.
- Metacritic Score: 86 (universal acclaim)
- Awards / Nominations: NA.
- Song To Sample: “A Werewolf and a Girl” — a duet featuring Lydia Loveless, combining gothic Americana story-telling with emotional rawness and haunting vocals.
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Elton John, Brandi Carlile- Genre: Americana / Adult Contemporary / Roots Rock.
- Influenced by: Joni Mitchell, The Band, Emmylou Harris, Leon Russell, Carole King.
- Similar artists: The Highwomen, John Grant, Ray LaMontagne, Jackson Browne.
- About this album The long-anticipated collaborative studio album between Elton John and Brandi Carlile. The record blends Elton’s classic piano-ballad sensibilities with Carlile’s Americana storytelling and vocal power. Carlile anchors the earthy Americana and Elton brings...well, the Elton. One of the sleeper hits of 2025.
- Metacritic Score: 79 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: Two 2026 Grammy award nominations: Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album,, Best Americana Performance (“Hallelujah Anyway”).
- Song To Sample: “Hallelujah Anyway” – a soaring duet that showcases both Carlile’s emotional grit and Elton’s melodic finesse.
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S.G. Goodman- Genre: Americana / Alternative Rock / Folk‑Rock.
- Influenced by: Lucinda Williams, Townes Van Zandt, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Cat Power, John Prine, Bruce Springsteen.
- Similar artists: Jason Isbell, Gillian Welch, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, Angel Olsen, The War and Treaty.
- About this album: Across its eleven tracks, Goodman draws on her Kentucky roots to explore themes of small‑town life, love, loss, personal reckoning, and reconciliation with the natural world, blending gently swirling guitars, subtle rock rhythms, and heartfelt lyricism.
- Metacritic Score: 88 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Fire Sign,” an evocative track that encapsulates the album’s blend of introspective lyricism and Americana‑inflected roots‑rock textures.
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Geese- Genre: Art Rock / Indie Rock / Experimental Rock.
- Influenced by: Television, Sonic Youth, Radiohead, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Can.
- Similar artists: LCD Soundsystem, Parquet Courts, Black Midi, Stereolab, Deerhoof, Fontaines D.C.
- About this album: A bold leap in the band’s sound. The album was recorded quickly (in ten days) and blends elements of post-punk, jazz, soul, and garage rock, moving away from traditional song structures. It explores themes of generational anxiety, freedom, identity, and the tension between art and a world seemingly "hell-bent on destruction."
- Metacritic Score: 89 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Taxes” — a standout track that encapsulates the album’s frenetic energy, lyrical wit, and genre‑defying approach.
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Brandi Carlile- Genre: Americana / Folk-Rock / Singer-Songwriter / American Roots.
- Influenced by: Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell, Minnie Pearl, Elton John, The Beatles, U2, Led Zeppelin, Queen.
- Similar artists: Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Lucinda Williams, Amanda Shires, Lori McKenna.
- About this album: Written largely in the aftermath of an intense period of professional output, collaboration, and public visibility, the album represents a conscious turn inward, After years of being the "curator of legends" (Elton, Joni, Tanya Tucker), Brandi purposefully "untethered" herself to find her own voice again. Thematically centered on identity, self-reclamation, emotional burnout, forgiveness, and spiritual grounding. Produced by an indie-rock "dream team" of Aaron Dessner, Justin Vernon, and Andrew Watt at Dessner's Long Pond studio.
- Metacritic Score: 81 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Two 2026 Grammy nominations: Best Americana Album; Best American Roots Performance (for “Back Where I Started”); Americana Music Association Awards Album of the Year nominee.
- Song To Sample: “Back Where I Started” — a quietly powerful centerpiece that captures the album’s themes of return, reckoning, and emotional grounding.
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Patty Griffin- Genre: Folk / Americana / Singer-Songwriter / Roots.
- Influenced by: Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, Emmylou Harris.
- Similar artists: Iris DeMent, Hayes Carll, John Hiatt, Jason Isbell, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile.
- About this album: Griffin's first album of new material in six years, following a period of personal challenges — including vocal impact from cancer treatment and the death of her mother. Meditative and deeply personal while still sounding warm and resonant across its eight tracks. The album features a range of moods from thoughtful introspection to blues-tinged roots storytelling. The album features a notable vocal cameo from her former partner Robert Plant.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Grammy Nominations / Awards: 2026 Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
- Song To Sample: “Back At The Start” — a compelling opening track that pairs rhythmic momentum with lyrical resilience and sets the tone for the album’s mix of introspection and forward movement. And check out "Long Time" for Plant's guest appearance.
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Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson- Genre: Folk / Old-time / Americana / Traditional Roots Music.
- Influenced by: Elizabeth Cotten, Etta Baker, Mississippi John Hurt, Dock Boggs, Odetta, Lead Belly.
- Similar artists: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, Jake Blount.
- About this album: A 2025 collaborative album by Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson, released on Nonesuch Records. The record is a deliberately intimate, acoustic project rooted in traditional African American and Appalachian folk forms, emphasizing fiddle, banjo, and voice.
- Metacritic Score: 85 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: One 2026 Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
- Song To Sample: “Black as Crow” — a quietly devastating traditional ballad that exemplifies the album’s conversational intimacy.
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Margo Price- Genre: Country / Americana / Roots Rock / Singer-Songwriter.
- Influenced by: Tom Petty, Janis Joplin, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams.
- Similar artists: Charley Crockett, Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Sierra Ferrell.
- About this album: Produced by Price alongside Sturgill Simpson in Nashville, the record finds her merging heartfelt storytelling with cinematic roots production — blending country tradition with rock, soul, and introspective adult-contemporary sensibilities. The project contains twelve tracks - ten originals that were all co-written by Price, and covers of Steven Knudson's "Love Me Like You Used to Do", and Waylon Jennings' "Kissing You Goodbye".
- Metacritic Score: 82 (universal acclaim).
- Grammy Nominations / Awards: 2026 Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Country Album.
- Song To Sample: “If I Didn’t Love You” — a standout track that blends rich country storytelling with an evocative, widescreen arrangement, showcasing Price’s expressive voice and thematic emotional depth.
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Sabrina Carpenter- Genre: Pop / Contemporary pop / Dance-Pop / Synth-Pop.
- Influenced by: Donna Summer, ABBA, Prince, The Beatles, Madonna.
- Similar artists: Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande.
- About this album: A record that blends disco, funk, country-leaning flirtation, and cheeky lyrical themes about heartbreak, relationships, frustration, and sexual empowerment.
- Metacritic Score: 75 (generally favorable reviews).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for six 2026 Grammy awards: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and (for "Manchild") Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video.
- Song To Sample: “Manchild” — the lead single nominated across major Grammy categories, fusing witty lyricism with dance-forward pop energy.
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Willie Nelson- Genre: Country / Traditional Country / Americana.
- Influenced by: Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings.
- Similar artists: Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Margo Price
- Similar artists: Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, George Strait, Charley Crockett, Cody Jinks.
- About this album: At 92 years old, Nelson teamed up with producer Buddy Cannon to record a collection of songs written or co-written by Rodney Crowell. A deeply reverent and lovingly curated celebration of classic country music, the record showcases Nelson’s weathered voice, gentle phrasing, and masterful phrasing across a mix of traditional country standards and heartfelt interpretations. It's worth nothing that the album arrives the same year as another Willie cover album, "Willie Sings Merle" (Metacritic Sore: 84, universal acclaim). It's worthy of placement on the list as well, so I'll include it here as a "tie." While "Willie Sings Merle" leans more directly into homage, the Grammy-nominated "Oh What a Beautiful World" stands out for its broad affection and reflective mood, drawing from and expanding upon Willie's status as a cultural icon. Willie isn't getting any younger, but he keeps belting out albums year after year and most, like these, remain standouts.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: "Oh What a Beautiful World" — 2026 Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Country Album. He's nominated in the same category as his son, Lukas.
- Song To Sample: “Forever Begs the Question” — a standout track that pairs Nelson’s conversational vocal delivery with tender melodic phrasing and nostalgic lyricism.
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I’m With Her- Genre: Chamber Folk / Americana.
- Influenced by: Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, The Carter Family, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Alison Krauss.
- Similar artists: Nickel Creek, The Staves, First Aid Kit, Watchhouse, Crooked Still.
- About this album: Arriving several years after their acclaimed debut See You Around, the album deepens the group’s collaborative identity, emphasizing intricate vocal harmonies, acoustic instrumentation, and shared songwriting. Lyrically, the record explores themes of connection, resilience, uncertainty, and emotional clarity. T
- Metacritic Score: 83 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “Ancient Light," a song about finding hope, resilience, and ancestral connection amidst chaos, using imagery of building a fire in the dark to find spiritual light.
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Bon Iver- Genre: Indie folk / R&B / Soul / Electronica.
- Influenced by: Nick Drake, Peter Gabriel, John Prine, Sade, Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls, Bob Dylan.
- Similar artists: Fleet Foxes, Sampha, Moses Sumney, Perfume Genius, Bonobo, The National.
- About this album: SABLE, fABLE is the fifth studio album by Bon Iver, expanding on the SABLE EP from 2024 by incorporating those initial tracks into a broader 12-song project that blends Bon Iver’s folk roots with contemporary R&B, pop, soul, and electronic influences. The album was co-produced by Justin Vernon and Jim-E Stack, and features guest appearances from Dijon, Flock of Dimes (Jenn Wasner) and Danielle Haim, with contributions from Kacy Hill, Jacob Collier, and Mk.gee. Musically it contrasts the introspective, somber opening songs with a more joyful, love-oriented second half — creating a dynamic journey from reflection to emotional openness. The lyrical themes center on newfound love, self-awareness, and personal renewal.
- Metacritic Score: 82 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for two 2026 Grammy awards: Best Alternative Music Album, Best Alternative Music Performance ("Everything Is Peaceful Love")
- Song To Sample: “Everything Is Peaceful Love” — the album’s standout nominated track, which captures the album’s blend of intimacy and expansiveness.
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Hayley Williams- Genre: Alternative Pop / Indie Rock / Synth‑Pop / Trip Hop / Dream Pop.
- Influenced by: Björk, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, St. Vincent, Portishead, Massive Attack.
- Similar artists: Paramore, Mitski, FKA twigs, Grimes, Weyes Blood, Perfume Genius.
- About this album: The 18‑track project — produced primarily with Daniel James — blends alternative pop, indie rock, trip hop, folk, synth‑pop, and shoegaze elements, showcasing Williams’s wide emotional and stylistic range. Written and recorded following her departure from Atlantic Records and after years of navigating life in and around her band, Paramore. The album explores themes of identity, ego dissolution, grief, self‑redefinition, and personal liberation.
- Metacritic Score: 91 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for four 2026 Grammy awards: Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Performance ("Mirtazapine"), Best Alternative Music Performance ("Parachute"), Best Rock Song ("Glum").
- Song To Sample: “Ice in My OJ,” a standout track that exemplifies the album’s genre‑blending production, introspective lyricism, and inventive energy.
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Deftones- Genre: Alternative Metal / Alternative Rock / Shoegaze.
- Influenced by: Depeche Mode, My Bloody Valentine, Radiohead, Tool, Helmet, Faith No More.
- Similar artists: Korn, System of a Down, Helmet, Glassjaw, Alice in Chains, A Perfect Circle.
- About this album: A textured mix of alternative metal, shoegaze, and atmospheric rock. The record’s dynamics — from heavy, riff‑driven passages to dreamy, expansive soundscapes — balance intensity and restraint, blending heaviness and ethereality, exploring themes of spiritual rebirth, mental struggle, and transformation. But mostly, it just rocks.
- Metacritic Score: 90 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for a 2026 Grammy award for Best Rock Album.
- Song To Sample: “My Mind Is a Mountain,” an explosive opening track that combines heavy guitar, pulsing rhythm, and haunting vocal melody.
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Wet Leg- Genre: Indie rock / Post-punk / New wave / Power pop
- Influenced by: Pixies, Elastica, The Breeders, Garbage, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, Blondie, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth.
- Similar artists: Alvvays, Dry Cleaning, The Beths, Confidence Man, CSS, Wolf Alice.
- About this album: Moisturizer is the second studio album by British rock band Wet Leg, released July 11, 2025 on Domino Recording Company. The record builds on the cheeky energy of their 2022 debut with punchier guitars, sharper hooks, and an expanded emotional palette — shifting from deadpan irreverence to brash love songs, lustful obsessions, quirky humor and romantic vulnerability. Moisturizer blends 90s alt-rock, post-punk swagger, pop-inflected power-pop melodies and witty lyricism.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for three 2026 Grammy awards: Best Alternative Music Album; Best Alternative Music Album ("mangetout"); Best Album Cover.
- Song To Sample: “CPR” — a lively opener that pairs driving rhythms with clever lyrics about love’s urgency and vulnerability, capturing both the band’s humor and emotional range.
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Molly Tuttle- Genre: Bluegrass, Americana, Folk.
- Influenced by: Allison Kraus, Hazel Dickens, her father (bluegrass artist and instructor) Jack Tuttle, Flatt and Scruggs, Chet Atkins.
- Similar artists: Gillian Welch, Eliza Gilkyson, Sara Watkins, Billy Strings.
- About this album: What would a year-end "best albums" list be without Molly Tuttle somewhere on the list? And, also, is she even capable of producing a bad record? Recorded in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce, the album blends Tuttle’s virtuosic acoustic guitar and roots background with elements of pop, country, rock, and contemporary Americana. The record features eleven original songs plus one inventive cover (Icona Pop & Charli XCX’s “I Love It”) because why not?
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Grammy nominations: Nominated for two 2026 Grammy awards: Best Americana Album; Best Americana Performance ("That's Gonna Leave a Mark").
- Song To Sample: The Grammy-nominated “That’s Gonna Leave a Mark” — a tune that puts Tuttle’s talent and virtuosity on full display.
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Wednesday- Genre: Creek Rock / Indie rock / Alt-rock / Post Punk / Noise Rock / Alt-Country.
- Influenced by: Lucinda Williams, Richard Buckner, John Prine, Drive-By Truckers, The Sundays, My Bloody Valentine.
- Similar artists: Uncle Tupelo, Dinosaur Jr., Low, Waxahatchee, St. Vincent.
- About this album: Though Bleeds deals in themes of violence, loss, and southern-horror realism — bodies pulled from rivers, betrayal, murder–suicide, addiction — the band’s frontwoman Karly Hartzman insists the record isn’t a “dark record.” Rather, she frames it as a brutally honest snapshot of real life in small-town America — full of brutality, beauty, sorrow, and weird humor. The lyrics are dark, raw, and gritty. There's a Southern Gothic sense of longing, memory, and emotional reckoning. The album blends abrasive noise-rock, alt-country twang, shoegaze and raw storytelling, creating a uniquely “creek rock” atmosphere.
- Metacritic Score: 88 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for Radio WigWam Awards 2026 Best Indie Rock Artist. Snubbed by the Grammys.
- Song To Sample: “Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)” — a melancholic and visceral track built on crunchy guitars and haunting vocals.
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Emma Swift- Genre: Indie-Folk / Singer-songwriter / Americana.
- Influenced by: Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, Marianne Faithfull, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Lucinda Williams, Patsy Cline.
- Similar artists: Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, Lucy Dacus, Waxahatchee, Fiona Apple, Brandi Carlile.
- About this album: The Resurrection Game is Emma Swift’s 2025 full-length of original songs, released September 12, 2025 on Tiny Ghost Records. Recorded in a 16th-century stone barn on the Isle of Wight and finished in Nashville, it feels less like a modern record and more like a lost masterwork from the 1960s—somewhere between the orchestral melancholy of Dusty Springfield and the crystalline folk of Sandy Denny. The album marks Swift’s deeply personal return to music after years of recovery from anxiety, depression, and a nervous breakdown. This album is her catharsis. It's inspired - but, is it any good? Apropos of nothing, I was an early advocate for this artist, after she released her 2020 album of Bob Dylan covers, "Blonde On The Tracks." Here, on her first album of all original material, Swift blends folk-rooted songwriting with intimate confession, lush orchestral touches (strings, pedal steel, keys) and baroque flourishes. It's a lush and breathy album, touching on themes of grief, love, self-acceptance, spirituality, an emotional healing. Yeah, it's good. Welcome back, Emma. We missed you. We love you. And, in case you missed the reviews, we love this album.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Awards / Nominations: None.
- Song To Sample: “The Resurrection Game” — the title track exemplifies the album’s blend of introspection, evocative melody, and poetic lyricism.
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Jesse Welles- Genre: Americana / Folk / Folk-rock / American Roots.
- Influenced by: Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams.
- Similar artists: Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Margo Price, John Hiatt, Sarah Jarosz.
- About this album: "Middle" blends folk, country, Americana, and rock elements with sharp storytelling and direct lyricism. Themes center on finding balance and meaning amid life’s ups and downs — love, conflict, fear, resilience, and personal reflection — delivered with Welles’s raspy, earnest voice and deft narrative sense that's rightly drawing comparison to a young Bob Dylan. It's worth noting he also released the massive (63 song) "Under the Power Lines (April 24–September 24)" earlier this year as well, primarily to combat music theft and reclaim control of his viral songs, putting them on official streaming platforms (DSPs) before pirates could profit, while also giving fans easy access to full-quality audio. In a historic move for an independent artist, Welles secured four Grammy nominations across two different projects in the same year.
- Metacritic Score: NA.
- Grammy nominations / Awards: Nominated for three 2026 Grammy awards: Best Americana Album, Best Americana Roots Song ("Middle"), Best Americana Performance ("Horses"). Additionally nominated for Best Folk Album for "Under the Powerlines (April 24–September 24)."
- Song To Sample: “Horses," a spirited track that is representative of the album’s mix of roots energy and emotional storytelling.
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Alison Krauss & Union Station, Alison Krauss- Genre: Bluegrass / Americana / Country / Roots.
- Influenced by: Bill Monroe, Emmylou Harris, Doc Watson, Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, Flatt & Scruggs.
- Similar artists: The Del McCoury Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sierra Ferrell, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Nickel Creek, Dolly Parton (acoustic/folk-leaning).
- About this album: Arcadia is Alison Krauss & Union Station’s first new album in 14 years and her first album since 2021's "Raise The Roof" with Robert Plant. It reunites longtime members Jerry Douglas (dobro/steel), Ron Block, Barry Bales, and introduces new co-vocalist Russell Moore, who replaces longtime member Dan Tyminski. The 10-song collection draws on traditional bluegrass, Americana, and folk storytelling, with many tracks steeped in history and human drama — from Civil-War era ballads to industrial-era tragedies. The band described the album as “stories of the past told in this music,” evoking themes of family, loss, resilience, and the lives of ordinary people across time.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for three 2026 Grammy awards: Best Bluegrass Album, Best American Roots Performance ("Richmond On The James"), Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. Won 2025 BMA Bluegrass Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Nominated for 2026 International Folk Music Awards Album of the Year.
- Song To Sample: “Looks Like the End of the Road” — the lead single and opening track.
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Tyler Childers- Genre: Country / Appalachian-rooted folk / Psychedelic-country / Experimental Americana.
- Influenced by: Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, The Band.
- Similar artists: Sierra Ferrell, Colter Wall, Zach Bryan, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Whiskey Myers.
- About this album: A gritty, "fuzzed-out" swamp-rock odyssey produced by the legendary Rick Rubin (Cash, American Recordings). The album's title refers, of course, to the rural American prank—a "snipe hunt"—which Childers uses as a metaphor for the fool's errands of fame, hubris, and his own journey through sobriety. The record represents a bold expansion of Childers’s sound, blending his Appalachian folk and country roots with elements of electric rock, gospel choir arrangements, ragtime rhythms, psychedelia, and even spiritual and Eastern-influenced motifs.
- Metacritic Score: 87 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for four 2026 Grammy awards: Best Contemporary Country Album, Best Country Song ("Bitin' List"), Best Country Solo Performance ("Nose On The Grindstone"), Best Country Duo/Group Performance ("Love Me Like You Used To Do").
- Song To Sample: “Tirtha Yatra," a pairing of gospel-choir-like textures (and hinted devotional chants) with Appalachian roots and modern production. Also, for pure toe-tapping fun, the Grammy nominated "Bitin' List."
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James McMurtry- Genre: Americana / Roots Rock / Folk Rock / Singer-Songwriter.
- Influenced by: Townes Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Bob Dylan, Guy Clark, Steve Earle.
- Similar artists: Jason Isbell, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, John Prine, Gillian Welch.
- About this album: The record continues McMurtry’s long-held tradition of sharp, character-driven songwriting rooted in American stories and landscapes. Across its tracks, McMurtry explores life on the margins, loneliness, small-town rhythms, and the metaphors of restlessness and introspection. The title refers to hallucinations experienced by his father, the legendary novelist Larry McMurtry, during his struggle with dementia.
- Metacritic Score: 90 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Two 2024 Americana Music Awards: Album of the Year and Song of the Year ("Can't Make It Down").
- Song To Sample: “Carnal Knowledge," a standout track that exemplifies McMurtry’s strength as a storyteller.
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Robert Plant- Genre: Folk / Folk-rock / Blues / Americana / Roots.
- Influenced by: Memphis Minnie, Blind Willie Johnson, Traditional British & American folk, Gospel blues tradition, Psychedelic-era rock (’60s/’70s).
- Similar artists: Moby Grape, Low, Gillian Welch, Martha Scanlan, The Low Anthem.
- About this album: Recorded between April 2019 and January 2025 in the Cotswolds and the Welsh Borders, the album features Plant performing with longtime touring group Saving Grace: vocalist Suzi Dian (co-credited on the album), drummer Oli Jefferson, guitarist Tony Kelsey, banjo/strings player Matt Worley, and cellist Barney Morse-Brown. The album marks the culmination of a years-long collaboration formed during the COVID-19 lockdown. The record consists entirely of cover versions: 10 songs drawn from roots-music, gospel-blues, folk, and modern alt-folk sources, giving a panoramic snapshot of Plant’s vast musical influences. The sound is warm, earthy, and deeply rooted in tradition — with elements of gospel blues, folk, and psychedelia, all underpinned by a heartfelt reverence to musical heritage that transcends what any cover album ought to be able to accomplish.
- Metacritic Score: 86 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: None. Because the album was released on September 26, it missed the August 30 Grammy eligibility cutoff for the 2026 cycle. It will be a major contender for the 2027 awards.
- Song To Sample: “Everybody’s Song” — a cover of a track by Low, reinterpreted by Plant & Saving Grace in a haunting, roots-inflected style that encapsulates the album’s spirit of rediscovery and reinterpretation.
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Mavis Staples- Genre: R&B / Soul / Gospel / Americana.
- Influenced by: Mahalia Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Frank Ocean, The Staple Singers.
- Similar artists: Aretha Franklin (later soul/gospel-rock edge), Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy (solo/roots-leaning work), Waxahatchee (soul-tinged Americana), Buddy Guy (soul-blues), Derek Trucks (blues-rock / Southern roots).
- About this album: At 86, Staples partnered with producer Brad Cook (Waxahatchee, Bon Iver) to curate a record that acts as a bridge between her gospel roots and the modern indie-folk landscape. The record features contributions from a wide array of artists — including Katie Crutchfield, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks, Jeff Tweedy, and others. The record blends Staples’s decades-deep voice and moral authority with modern roots and soul instrumentation — finger-picked guitars, soft horns, light percussion — giving a restrained, intimate palette that puts her voice front-and-center. The album is a mix of covers and reinterpretations spanning many decades plus a small number of original or newly written songs, allowing Staples, 86, to draw on her long experience with gospel, soul, civil-rights-era music, and contemporary music. Worth noting: Despite her fame, Staples does her own laundry and errands, believing in staying connected to people. Bob Dylan once proposed to her. She turned him down.
- Metacritic Score: 90 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for two 2026 Grammy awards: Best American Roots Performance ("Beautiful Strangers"); Best Americana Performance ("Godspeed").
- Song To Sample: “Anthem” — another Leonard Cohen cover (she previously covered "If It Be Your Will" on "Here It Is," the Cohen tribute album). Only Mavis could come close to imbuing the same ethereal quality as Cohen himself.
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Jason Isbell- Genre: Folk / Americana / Singer-songwriter / American Roots.
- Influenced by: John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Guy Clark, Bruce Springsteen, Kris Kristofferson.
- Similar artists: Patterson Hood, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, James McMurtry, Drive-By Truckers.
- About this album: In 2023, Jason Isbell famously divorced his wife and musical collaborator Amanda Shires. Both of them released post-split albums in 2025, and it’s Isbell’s that takes the top album spot this year, and little doubt that it would. Foxes in the Snow is Isbell’s tenth studio album, released March 7 on Southeastern Records. Recorded in five days at Electric Lady Studios in New York, it features an entirely solo Isbell, performing on a vintage 1940 Martin acoustic guitar. With no members of The 400 Unit appearing on the record, it marks Isbell’s first fully solo acoustic project in almost two decades. Raw, intimate, and focused on themes of heartbreak, loss, self-examination, and personal change, Foxes channels the style of folk predecessors like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Joni Mitchell.
- Metacritic Score: 84 (universal acclaim).
- Awards / Nominations: Nominated for three 2026 Grammy awards: Best Folk Album; Best American Roots Performance (“Crimson and Clay”); Best American Roots Song (“Foxes in the Snow”). Also nominated by the Americana Music Association for Album of the Year.
- Song To Sample: “Crimson and Clay," a somber, roots-driven ode to Isbell's native Alabama that showcases the album’s emotional gravity and earned one of its Grammy nods.
Best, Favorite, & Most Interesting Albums Of 2025 is an album list curated by
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