They sing their songs, closing their eyes, seeing the light in a different light

Madi Diaz - Weird FaithI love this album so much. Madi Diaz has been around for awhile, but I’m a fairly recent convert. Her writing is confessional in the very best way - it feels like having a conversation with a good friend as she tells you about her relationship woes. In interviews, she’s described this as accidentally writing a breakup album, and in some ways it is, but I think it’s more than that. It’s the story of a relationship in full: the getting-to-know-you, the increased intimacy and vulnerability, the realizing it’s not working, the leaving, and the putting oneself back out there to try again, older and hopefully wiser. While it doesn’t quite fit the theme, “God Person” is my song of the year for its ethereal beauty.

Hurray for the Riff Raff - The Past Is Still AliveThis was very nearly my #1. I’ve been a HftRR fan for a very long time, but this is the first time Alynda has explored a key part of their background - their time living as a nomad, hopping freight trains and busking in the streets to earn money. The result is a dreamy, gorgeous album reckoning with memory and the past - the good and bad alike.

Waxahatchee - Tigers BloodKatie Crutchfield has been on fire the past few years. (Side note: if you’re one of those people who says musicians stop putting out good work when they get sober, listen to Waxahatchee, then to Jason Isbell, and then punch yourself in the face.) Her songwriting is brilliant and MJ Lenderman is a welcome addition to this album. I didn’t love his solo album this year as much as others did, but he’s just right adding his skills here. This is a perfect album for a backroads drive on a nice spring or summer day with the windows down.

Lizzie No - HalfsiesI adore this album. Lizzie No is an excellent storyteller, and the album is a wonderful blend of classic folk/country with some harder rock sounds, and a bit of activism seamlessly blended in with stories of personal heartbreak and growth. I love the story behind this album, which Lizzie envisioned as a role-playing game with Miss Freedomland as the main character. But even without that backstory, which I didn’t know until several months of enjoying, it all just works.

Micah Schnabel - The Clown Watches The ClockMy friend Craig wrote at length about this album and I highly recommend his review. It’s a dark one, grappling with the grind of poverty and hopelessness in a starkly honest way you don’t hear often. At times I couldn’t listen to it. And yet it’s everything I could want in a Micah album, combining his solo songwriting chops with the musical backing you might get from a full Two Cow Garage album.

Middle Kids - Faith Crisis Pt. 1All credit to Brooke and Craig for introducing me to this one, since I’d never listened to Middle Kids before. I’m a bit of a sucker for dark lyrics paired with a poppy, upbeat tune. Not sure why, it’s just always been my jam. Middle Kids scratches that itch. If you’re a fan of The Beths, I’d recommend checking this one out. Also, I listened to “Your Side, Forever” on repeat in October while coming down from an especially bad panic attack and am eternally grateful for it.

Kacey Musgraves - Deeper WellSlightly more mainstream country than my other picks, without venturing all the way into the land of “let’s only sing about pickup trucks, beer, and Republican Jesus.” I loved Kacey Musgraves’ first couple of albums, but at some point started finding her work too kitsch for my liking. The most recent couple of albums, though, have left that behind and shown impressive growth. There’s some subtle Celtic vibes in this album, particularly my favorite track “Heaven Is,” which add something really lovely to her work.

John Moreland - VisitorThis man can write. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of Moreland’s older albums In The Throes and High On Tulsa Heat, but I’m also conscious that he wanted to leave behind the stripped-down acoustic guitar sounds and experiment sonically. Some of the experiments didn’t work (so much drum machine…), but Visitor feels like he’s settled into a rhythm of understanding the lyrics take center stage while incorporating more musical variety.I listened to this album quite a bit after the passing of Nick Liechty, a friend from when I was living in Washington, DC and he was living in Baltimore. We went to several shows together and would spend time together with mutual friends, and Nick was one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met and gave the best bear hugs. He died earlier this year, far too young, and I miss him. John Moreland was one of his favorites, along with Lucero and Glossary, and listening to this album made me feel close to Nick again in the midst of the grief.

Laura Marling - Patterns in RepeatIf Tigers Blood is the album for spring and summer, Patterns in Repeat is the fall album, made for listening to under a blanket with a cozy blanket. I’ve been a fan of Laura Marling for years, and this album keeps up her impeccable record.

Onsloow - Full Speed Anywhere ElseI have Caleb Rose’s weekly album release lists to thank for this one - after he compared Onsloow to The Beths, I had to listen, and I’m very glad I did. Power pop with irresistable hooks.