Greatest New Music from the Blue Ridge and Past
Each month our editors curate a playlist of latest music, primarily specializing in unbiased artists from the South. In December we’re highlighting new tunes from Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Sharon Van Etten.
Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Principle
“Afterlife”
“For the primary time in my life I requested the band if we may simply jam,” acknowledged Sharon Van Etten, upon asserting the upcoming self-titled album (out February 7) along with her backing crew the Attachment Principle. The document’s lead single is a synth-heavy rock tune that captures the spirit of spontaneous composition, with Van Etten’s enchanting vocals guided by a dance-ready beat and mild cascades of keyboards. – J.F
Bonnie “Prince” Billy
“Our Dwelling”
Idiosyncratic indie-folk tunesmith Will Oldham (AKA Bonnie “Prince” Billy) determined it was time for his Nashville periods, so he traveled to Music Metropolis and labored with producer David Ferguson on new album “The Purple Chicken,” which comes out on January 31. First single “Our Dwelling” options bluegrass nice Tim O’Brien, who trades verses with Oldham on the rootsy tune that celebrates the material of household traditions. – J.F
Lucinda Williams
“Whereas My Guitar Gently Weeps”
On her newest venture, iconic singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams did what no different artist has dared to do—enter the hallowed Abbey Highway Studios to document songs of The Beatles. “Lucinda Williams Sings the Beatles From Abbey Highway” finds her providing interpretations of a dozen tracks—each basic hits and deep cuts—on the seventh quantity of her “Lu’s Jukebox” sequence. Williams’s tackle “Whereas My Guitar Gently Weeps” is beautiful, proving that, even on the age of 71, she stays a related and highly effective presence in American music. – D.S.
Bartees Unusual
“Sober”
Versatile indie artist Bartees Unusual veers into the territory of wide-open heartland rock on this charging monitor from the upcoming album, “Horror,” which drops subsequent yr. The music has an uplifting association, with a high-energy groove and a few 80s guitar crunch, however Unusual will get weak in lyrics, as he sings about leaning on booze throughout relationship failures. – J.F.
The Greyboy Allstars
“Slip The Grip”
Initially concocted as a musical troupe to help famous San Diego jazz musician DJ Greyboy, the aptly named Greyboy Allstars have managed to place collectively an illustrious 30-year profession and turn out to be all-stars in their very own ceremony. The group not too long ago launched their eighth studio album, “Seize Bag; 2007-2023,” a set of 9 beforehand unreleased tracks from the latter half of the band’s profession. “Slip the Grip” is pure jazzy soul, with Robert Walter’s organ and Karl Denson’s saxophone wrestling over a scrumptious funk groove. – D.S.
Free Cattle
The Shoals
(that includes Patterson Hood)
Musicians in New Orleans can’t assist however be influenced by the cultural collisions happening within the Crescent Metropolis. It ought to come as no shock, then, that one finds hints of jazz, folks, nation, and storage rock within the choices on “Somebody’s Monster,” the most recent launch from Free Cattle. “The Shoals,” which includes a visitor spot from Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood, tendencies in the direction of the latter, with gritty guitar and fiddle supporting Kimberly Kaye’s haunting vocals. – D.S.
Denison Witmer
“Older and Free”
Denison Witmer will get an help from Sufjan Stevens on this pastoral folks music that celebrates the liberty of escaping the burnout of day-to-day obligations. Witmer wrote the music after a hike in Pennsylvania’s French Creek State and it’s teeming with idyllic imagery that matches the ethereal acoustic association. Stevens, who produced the monitor, additionally provides his patented gentle-voices harmonies to the sweeping refrain. – J.F.
John R. Miller
“Backyard of Fools”
Inevitably, the creation of an album requires powerful choices, and nice songs usually find yourself on the chopping room ground. That is precisely what occurred final yr when John R. Miller put collectively his critically acclaimed launch “Warmth Comes Down.” Now, a yr later, Miller is releasing two tracks, “Outset of the Breeze” and “Backyard of Fools,” by way of a seven-inch vinyl single, that weren’t included on the unique launch. “Backyard of Fools” is one other stellar providing from Miller, and followers of the songwriter can be glad it’s seeing the sunshine of day. – D.S.
Cowl photograph: Bonnie “Prince” Billy labored with Johnny Money’s longtime engineer Dave Ferguson on his new album. Press Photograph courtesy of the Billions Company
