'26 50/50 - Country Edition
It's nearly halfway through the year, so here are 20 of my favorite country albums of the year so far. I'm not completely caught up on new albums but such is life, and I'm pretty close. |
| 1 |  | Charley Crockett
Clovis
5/5
My favorite country album of the year so far, and Crockett's second. It's bluesy, country and more aggressive than anything he's released so far. That fighting spirit also translates to how the album was released, as it seems he's in a distribution war with with his former label, and this was pulled from streaming. That said, Crockett is bootlegging his own album, so don't feel bad about sailing the high seas to give this a listen. |
| 2 |  | Micah Edwards
Texas Soul
4.5/5
Texans hold three of the top five spots on this list, and six of the top ten slots on my list, so it's not hard claiming that it's been a great year for Lone Star country artists. Micah Edwards seems to be flying a bit under the radar, but that didn't stop him from pumping out one of the best country albums of the year. It's country, it's a whole lot of retro R&B and soul, and it's very good. If you get passed the aux at a summer party, camping or BBQ, this is the album you want to have ready. |
| 3 |  | Chloe Hoecker
Missouri's Country Sweetheart
4.4/5
Missouri is probably one of the unlikeliest of states to attract attention. Not knocking it at all, but it fits firmly in the heartland flyover category. When my grandpa and his brothers left Missouri for Washington state they never really looked back. Chloe Hoecker doesn't seem interested in following that arc though, as she proudly declares herself Missouri's Country Sweetheart on a namesake EP. And boy, does it go hard. This is neotraditional country done right coupled with the swagger of the 90s resurgence, but freed from the tropes and constraints that usually come with it. Give this a listen asap. With a roughly 20 minute runtime, you don't really have an excuse not to, do you? |
| 4 |  | Flatland Cavalry
Work of Heart
4.2/5
The early frontrunners for best country album of the year are still sitting easily in the top five. What more is there to say about Work of Heart? Read the review if you want some excellent Red Dirt country from one of the best bands doing it. |
| 5 |  | The Infamous Stringdusters
20/20
4.1/5
Great, straightforward bluegrass. The licks are thicc on this and it's as polished as you'd expect them to be. |
| 6 |  | Shakey Graves
Fondness, Etc.
4.1/5
Another excellent outing from Shakey Graves, this time perhaps a bit more folky, laid back and refined. |
| 7 |  | William Clark Green
Watterson Hall
4.1/5
If you're looking for heartfelt songwriting that packs a punch, this is it. An album you can really sink into. |
| 8 |  | Langhorne Slim
The Dreamin' Kind
4/5
Folky Americana with some rock sensibilities thrown in. Charming and smooth. |
| 9 |  | Big Richard
Pet
4/5
Badass bluegrass with a punk attitude. I'm a sucker for this exact blend of folksy aggression. Go listen now! Long live streetgrass. |
| 10 |  | Charlie Marie
Signs
4/5
Overwhelmingly endearing neotraditional singer-songwriter country with enough heartfelt hooks for everyone. |
| 11 |  | Natalie Prauser
Everything Is Fine
3.9/5
Another solid country album. Great voice, great songs, great album. |
| 12 |  | Trey Hensley
Can't Outrun the Blues
3.9/5
Gritty bluegrass you can stomp yer feet to. |
| 13 |  | The Milk Carton Kids
Lost Cause Lover Fool
3.9/5
A cozy folk album. Get on it! |
| 14 |  | Clay Street Unit
Sin and Squalor
3.9/5
A country and bluegrass album that's at its best when the band is leaning into the 'grass side of their sound. |
| 15 |  | Kashus Culpepper
Act I
3.8/5
Soulful country with some southern rock thrown in. A great debut, can't wait to see him live. |
| 16 |  | Luke Grimes
RedBird
3.8/5
Who knew Kayce Dutton had a solid country album in him? I'm always a bit wary of the whole actor or rockstar goes country sthick, but Grimes has the sauce. A smooth and smartly executed little album. |
| 17 |  | Kacey Musgraves
Middle Of Nowhere
3.8/5
You know her, you love her, and the new album doesn't disappoint. |
| 18 |  | Sassparilla
Honey, I'm Using Again
3.8/5
Some dark and moody American roots music here. Probably the most backwoods sounding of everything on this list. |
| 19 |  | Johnny Blue Skies
Mutiny After Midnight
3.8/5
Not-Sturgill goes disco country and it's pretty damn fun. This keeps gaining points every time I listen to it, which is much easier now that it's on streaming. Give this a listen soon if you missed it earlier this year. |
| 20 |  | Ella Langley
Dandelion
3.7/5
A very solid mainstream country album. |
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