Meet the new year. Same as the old? Not so much on the music front with a great batch of new music on the horizon. Here are some releases eagerly anticipated by the Twangville posse.
Hell on Church Street by Punch Brothers (14 January)
The virtuoso string quintet remind us yet again why they are among the leading musicians of their generation. Hell on Church Street is their magical reimagining of Tony Rice’s bluegrass classic Church Street Blues. (Mayer Danzig)
How Long Will It Take Them To Die by Goodnight, Texas (21 January)
Avi Vinocur and Patrick Dyer Wolf are tremendous songwriters, whose storytelling and acoustic folk rock will magically transport you to the rural America inhabited by Appalachian miners and Western cowboys. (MD)
Ghost Stories by The Whitmore Sisters (21 January)
Sisters Eleanor Masterson and Bonnie Whitmore prove that the best harmonies are of the sibling kind. Wrap those voices around some melodic rootsy country songs and you’ve got one fine listen. (MD)
Devil May Care by Tinsley Ellis (21 January)
While veteran blues-rocker Tinsley Ellis can rock with the best blues guitarists, it’s his expressive slow cookers on which he really excels – and there are some really good slow cookers on the upcoming release. (Bill Wilcox)
Run Like a Bull by Ryan Culwell (28 January)
Culwell may live in Nashville but his haunting voice and brooding songs call to mind the dusty plains of his native Texas. (MD)
Lucifer on the Sofa by Spoon (11 February)
From the sound of the first single, “The Hardest Cut” the guys in Spoon are back with a nice loud, blistering effort. (Todd Mathis)
Texas Moon by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges (18 February)
An interesting pairing of two heavyweights. I only hope it’s half as good as Iron & Wine with Calexico. (TM)
Almost Proud by The Del McCoury Band (18 February)
The bluegrass legend still knows how to pick a guitar. As if there was any doubt. (MD)
Together Alone by Sarah Borges (18 February)
We’re unabashed fans of Ms. Borges here at Twangville. Her brand of gritty rock, fortified with a mix of attitude and charm, is the kind of kick start this year needs. (MD)
Life on Earth by Hurray for the Riff Raff (18 February)
It’s been nearly five years since Alynda Segarra released an album. She’s coming roaring back in 2022 with a new indie rock sound. (MD)
Nightroamer by Sarah Shook & the Disarmers (18 February)
Two parts country, one part rock – North Carolina’s Sarah Shook & the Disarmers are the band you want to play your local honky-tonk on a Friday night. (MD)
Manticore by Shovels & Rope (18 February)
Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent celebrate their 10th anniversary as Shovels & Rope with a wonderful new album, written in a New Orleans house belonging to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. (MD)
Backhand Deals by Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard (25 February)
This quartet hailing from Wales in the United Kingdom were one of my fave discoveries from SXSW 2021. Their latest is a fun jolt of 1970’s power pop. (MD)
Jamie McDell by Jamie McDell (25 February)
The Botox EP, most notably the feisty confidence of the title track and the melancholy regret of “Worst Crime” (featuring Robert Ellis), was my introduction to New Zealand’s Jamie McDell. Both songs make an encore appearance, accompanied by 11 other tracks, on her anticipated forthcoming release. (MD)
All Is Quiet by Susan Cattaneo (4 March)
Susan Cattaneo, one of Boston’s finest Americana songwriters, beautifully strips things down to their core – showcasing her latest batch of songs accompanied only by ace acoustic guitarists Duke Levine and Kevin Barry. (MD)
Gone, Long Gone by Steve Dawson (18 March)
Canadian turned Nashvillian Steve Dawson, roots and blues guitarist extraordinaire, producer, and all-around musicians’ musician, releases Gone, Long Gone March 18 on his own Black Hen label. We’re looking forward to hearing what the versatile Dawson has up his sleeve this time, but we anticipate it’ll be great! (BW)
Go Out Nowhere by Silver Lining (13 May)
Members of Norwegian groups The Northern Belle and Louien have been teaming up for the past few years to create airy and harmony-drenched Americana. Think the Mamas and the Papas if they were from Norway. (MD)
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.