Three new alt country tracks that will have you ordering another round

Andrew Shier – “Rusted and Weathered”
-From the time I started listening to artist like David Ramirez back in the day, I fell for alt country as a genre. It captures what I wish mainstream country would do. This track from Shier echoes that sentiment quite well, with guitars that set the mood and vocals that fit perfectly. As someone writing this from the heart of the Rust Belt, this song could not be more applicable. There’s something satisfying about the optimism in the “maybe things can change” line, even though most of us miss the old days and what used to be in the glory days. The sentiment in this track is relatable on multiple levels and I’m really glad to be able to feature this tune.

Your Jack – “This One”
-If I didn’t tell you this was a new artist, you’d swear this was a deep cut from a classic Americana artist back in the 70s. This guy sounds like he could open for Prine or Stevie Goodman in some 30-person listening room back in the 70s. I mean that as the absolute highest praise. The writing is immaculate with delightful hyperbole, careful phrasing, and this almost spoken-word style that cuts through just right. The lonesomeness in the “honey where’d you go???” chorus feels sincere and believable. This is my first time running across Your Jack, but I don’t think it will be the last time. This feels like a timeless vibe that is well worth revisiting.

Nathan Evans Fox – “Sawzall vs Surveillance (The Ballad of the Metal Man)”
-If you’re a fan of Americana music, this song should absolutely fly to the top of your playlist. Everything about it captures the spirit of Americana and alt country music. It’s a ballad about someone who is standing up against the surveillance state. It’s a fascinating double commentary that’s about the politics of surveillance while also highlighting the “metal man” folks who scrounge the earth for value. As someone who grew up and still lives in the Rust Belt, this carries a lot of meaning for me. I try to avoid direct political commentary in my coverage of music, but I will say that this track absolutely resonates when it comes to the sort of “rights of the people” commentary that carries on the tradition of throwback country artists like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. I dig it.

Image courtesy: Your Jack IG