Three dynamic new Americana tracks that bring lovely variety to your autumn playlist

Wildie – “1998”
-When I clicked play on this song, I felt a connection with the mood right away. There’s a lovely approachable energy to the lead vocalist, but even before I got to that part I felt a sense of relaxation and calm just from the acoustic guitar. Something about the song feels like the Laurel Canyon storytellers of the late 60s, even though the subject is ostensibly about the late 90s. To be fair, there’s a real calming vibe to the song that puts me in mind of artists like Rayland Baxter or even, from that earlier era, someone like Jackson Browne. The lyric about “trying to get home” seems like a more existential idea than the song might initially let on. Give it a spin and vibe out to this one.

Stacy Randol – “Losin’ Game”
-Every Americana playlist needs to have a good honkytonk tune. Everything from the tone on the guitars to the singing of the steel guitar comes together for a sound that would have gotten your grandma on the dancefloor a few generations ago. The vocals on this track have that vintage hue to them, allowing the listener to feel a touch with the past. The combination of the two vocals when they blend and the intimate mood of the lyrics gives everyone listening a sense of where this is heading. Even though it feels like a blurry mistake about to happen in real time, “let’s not make this harder than it has to be. I can’t quit your lovin’ that easily…” Well there ya have it… a break up song, but maybe just one more spin around the dancefloor (or trip home with that one you shouldn’t). I feel like I could write a whole story around these characters. What a gem of a country and Americana tune!

Raye Zaragoza – “Where I’m Supposed To Be”
-The percussive energy on this song feels a bit more modern than typical Americana, but the spirit of the song definitely connects with the iconic tradition of the genre. I tell submitters all the time that we’re looking for a “gritty, modern style” and this is it! This track could play right alongside Jason Isbell or David Ramirez style Americana… and I mean that. This is a fantastic, gritty, energetic tune with equal parts rock and storytelling folk influence. The lyrics are reflective, intimate, and deeply personal, but the cool thing about them is that even strangers can relate to the reflection (and yes, I use the word ‘reflection’ intentionally as the song discusses a mirror prominently). If you’ve ever had one of those self conscious phases where you end up thinking, “this is where I’m supposed to be” then this song will be your anthem. Life is a choose your own adventure, so choose wisely.