Will Breman – “Craters and canyons”-There’s an inherent charm to this track that put my smile on my face from first listen. The string work connects with some older traditions, but there’s a freshness to the production mix that makes it really pop. …
Tag Archives: Americana
Featured Americana Single: Jessie Payo’s “Bodega”
Jessie Payo – “Bodega”-While it’s not specifically a religious song, Payo approaches this song about a small bodega as a religious experience. The parallel of a bodega with a church, as a place of acceptance and spiritual significance, is really well explored with …
Two folk duos with breathtaking harmonies
LASS – “Leave yourself behind”-LASS make me feel the same way I felt when I found The Staves and the Harmaleighs. That’s high praise in these folk harmony circles. The first time I clicked play on this track from LASS I thought, “oh, …
Three tracks for fans of folk, folk rock, and amazing songwriting
Midnight Pilot – “Broke again”-Folks who have been reading my music coverage for years now will hear why I like this song immediately. The songwriting is outstanding. The chromatic chord progression is so satisfying. The vocal is excellent. The whole mood of the …
Three brand new Americana tracks to make you think of the old days
IZHAV – “Freight train”-One of the oldest themes in country and Americana songwriting is the freight train. Train hopping, hoboing, traveling the country as a way to leave rough beginning or to head to promising new places is a trenchant theme. This track …
Featured southern rock single: Jesse Roper – “Make it all work out”
Jesse Roper – “Make it all work out”-Southern rock is one of those genres that can be very appealing. The gospel overtones of the lead vocal, the blues core of the track, and the hopeful brilliance of the song’s energy really works for …
Featured pop folk single: Jake Adler – “Happy home”
Jake Adler – “Happy home”-The stylistic comparison for this track is probably the Lumineers “Hey ho” or Phillip Phillips “Home.” Those aren’t songs we typically chat about around here, but to be honest this song is really catchy. I appreciate the sincerity in …
Three must-hear singer songwriter tracks, including a genre-bending masterpiece from Jake Etheridge
Jake Etheridge – “Strawberry chapstick”-I can’t stop listening to this song. After a few listens I put it on my song of the year candidate list. If you listen to the first line, you’ll hear why. The narrative form, expressive vocal, and excellent …
Three singer songwriters that will reinvigorate your love for music
Josie Toney – “Extra”-I thought about saving this track for an Americana playlist because it definitely fits in that world, but it’s such a darn good song as well. Toney’s vocal has a really approachable sincerity that I think a lot of people …
Three folk rock tunes that will have you reflecting on the season change
bandazian – “Please / Go”-If you’ve ever been in a position where someone you love is about to leave, this song will absolutely capture that emotion for you (for better and for worse). There’s such a beautiful lightness to the composition that captures …



