Here are some albums that we’re looking forward to hearing in the back half of 2026…
Material Witness by William Matheny (10 July)
William Matheny brings pure rock and roll spirit to Material Witness, leaning heavy on electric guitars and hearty, driving rhythms. His lyrics crackle with authenticity and a wisened view, proving there’s still plenty of life in straight-up rock and roll.
In the Hour of Chaos by Allison Russell (10 July)
Allison Russell invited a host of friends into the fold for her latest, but the heart of In the Hour of Chaos is Russell herself — one of the most powerful performers working today. The result is soulful, percussive, and uplifting, a welcome light in a chaotic year.
The Great Unknowing by John R. Miller (17 July)
Miller is one of West Virginia’s favorite musical sons, but for his latest album he headed west, recording in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The result is the perfect marriage of Miller’s acerbic musical attitude and the Tulsa sound.
Get Over It, Underdog by Aaron Lee Tasjan (17 July)
Aaron Lee Tasjan has always followed his own path. On Get Over It, Underdog, Tasjan serves up serious political commentary and personal soul-searching alike with the same sly musical smirk, all delivered with a rock and roll attitude that leans toward the rockier end of the Americana spectrum.
Blues Now by GA-20 with Charlie Musselwhite (31 July)
GA-20 have established themselves as one of contemporary blues’ leading lights, not by reinventing the sound but by rooting themselves firmly in an authentic old-school approach. What better way to prove that point than to collaborate with blues legend Charlie Musselwhite.
Living Proof by Silverada (7 August)
Texas country runs deep in Silverada’s capable hands. Living Proof mixes musical authenticity with songs that move effortlessly from heartfelt emotion to rowdy barroom fare — tear-in-your-beer one moment, just beer the next.
Great Television by Elizabeth Cook (14 August)
This is classic Elizabeth Cook: songs rooted in country tradition but which lean toward the rock end of the Americana spectrum. All of it delivered with her trademark blend of charm and attitude.
Half Moon by Maggie Rose (14 August)
What a voice — powerful and sultry, and watch out when Maggie Rose unleashes it on Half Moon. The sound is contemporary but rooted in the era of commanding vocalists wrapping their voices around pop standards, with Rose occasionally throwing in some Muscle Shoals grooves.
Flowers From the Graveyard by Michael McDermott (21 August)
We’ve been waiting for this one. Michael McDermott marries incisive, decisive social and political commentary with immensely catchy melodies. He’ll drop you with a jaw-dropping ballad one moment, then lift you back up with an empowering anthem the next.
Something More by Fruition (21 August)
Something More finds Fruition exploring a more atmospheric side, pushing past their organic foundation into occasionally Beatles-esque terrain, without losing their signature harmonies. True to form, singer-songwriters Jay Cobb Anderson, Kellen Asebroek, and Miriam “Mimi” Naja each bring their own distinct voice to the mix. And true to its title, the album really is more than the sum of its parts.
Folk N’ Roll by Taylor Hollingsworth (21 August)
Taylor Hollingsworth strips things back, leaning heavily on the dexterity of his fretwork and the depth of his songwriting. The result is as gritty as it is rootsy.
Buddy Miller by Buddy Miller (11 September)
It’s been 15 years since Americana legend Buddy Miller last graced us with an album, and it was worth every bit of the wait. He called on a who’s who of Nashville musicians, plus a few from elsewhere, to join him. But the sound is unmistakably his own. Just please, Buddy, don’t make us wait another 15 years.
Getting There by Eli Paperboy Reed (11 September)
R&B master Eli Paperboy Reed teams up with legend Swamp Dogg for Getting There, his first album of original music since 2019. It’s pure old-school R&B, through and through.
Wooden Machine by Goodnight, Texas (16 September)
Goodnight Texas has built a legacy on dark, character-driven roots rock, and Wooden Machine adds another sturdy chapter to it. It’s a band that knows exactly what it does well, and proves it again here.
To Go On by The Suitcase Junket (2 October)
Matt Lorenz, aka The Suitcase Junket, packs his songs with an emotional punch. To Go On is a meditation on loss, written in the wake of losing his sister and musical compatriot Kate. All the hallmarks of his sound are present: the percussive, gritty one-man-band stomp and the captivating charm of his voice.
You’ll Live by Cory Branan (9 October)
Cory Branan digs into his songwriting closet on You’ll Live, pulling some unreleased classics off the shelf for their first proper recordings. Old songs, newly realized — plenty of his sly lyrical wit and edge, alongside plenty of electric guitar crunch.
A Mile South of Heaven by Jess Williamson (9 October)
Texas native Jess Williamson may have recorded her new album in LA, but the plains of her home state are alive and well in these songs. The lyrics make them all the more affecting.
Shooter of Truth by Lyal Strickland (16 October)
Seventh-generation Missouri farmer Lyal Strickland returns with his first album of original material in a decade, and the wait shows in every line. The songs are as rich as the soil he toils, carrying a heaviness and authenticity forged by seasons, not studios.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.