Kurt Lee Wheeler – “Portland (Grass version)”
-I’m a big fan of when a first line of a song really pops. This one goes, “It’s not that I hate leavin’ Portland, it’s that I hate losin’ you.” Wow. Heartache, purpose, direction, sentiment, emotion… it’s all there. The combination of the heartfelt bluegrass undertones in the instrumentation and the “believe every dang word” character of the vocal, this song is a stand out immediately. Of course the banjo brings a lot of character to the sound, but the overall style is timeless and enjoyable. I sincerely think this is one of the best Americana tracks I’ve heard so far in 2025. I’m pleased to support it here.
David Berkeley – “Omaha”
-If you’re looking for a chill, expressive style of acoustic songwriting then give this track a spin. There’s a sincere, expressive lyrical style that makes the song resonate well. At times, it’s almost spoken word in its expression. It’s the kind of track that will connect for fans of lyrically driven Americana music. The balance between the guitar, vocal, and backing production makes for a solid, chill listening experience. The guitar work caught my attention on first listen, but the whole track is worth the spin.
Jason Lenyer Buchanan – “Better Parts of Texas”
-I don’t throw around wild comps often, but within the first few lines of this song I thought of a comparison to Jason Isbell’s Southeastern album and that’s about the highest praise I could give an emerging songwriter. Buchanan has an expressive style that feels like a natural connection between country and some folksy roots. The lyrical substance is there, cultivating gratitude. Folks from Texas, in particular, are going to find a lot of local pride in this one. It feels like the real deal and Buchanan’s vocal is solid from start to finish.
Image courtesy: Jason Buchanan IG
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