Yessiree it is still in fact 2023 last time I checked! But the hours are dwindling at lightning speed.
I could dive into a whole fluff piece of how great of a year it was for folk, Americana, and roots music, but I’ll save you the fanfare. Every year is exciting for music of all kinds, and frankly it’s hard to see the forest from the trees when you’re still rolling through the modern decade of music, and the effect the music truly has on a generation. It needs time to settle in like a fine wine.
That being said, here are our Top 15 Folk, Americana, & Roots Releases of 2023 from some artists you know and some you may not, but should. And damn- it ain’t easy trying to whittle these suckers down.
15. Smith & Tegio – Can’t Stay Here
Perhaps a bit of recency bias here, but Austin Smith & Mark Tegio (Smith & Tegio) released their sophomore album, Can’t Stay Here, at the beginning of the month. The West Coast duo deliver all the country western and bluesy Americana feels, notably on tracks “Hell Raising Habit,” “Shine,” and “Think I’ll Just Sing.”
14. The Cleverlys – Solid Butter
“Creep,” “Love Shack,” “Gangnam Style,” “Right Place Wrong Time”- right away this collection of song titles should spark intrigue. And when done in epic bluegrass fashion, it’s a sound to behold. This is exactly what The Cleverlys did along with other iconic covers to boot on their July album, Solid Butter. Say what you will about covers/cover albums, but when done in a unique outta left field way, they’re fun as hell. The Cleverlys did just that.
13. Royce Johns – Thank Ya Kindly
Making its way to our ears from the great state of Iowa, Thank Ya Kindly is a killer 10-track album that runs the gamut of poignant and introspective folk songs akin to a John Prine (“Wish I Was”), to boogie woogie energy reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis (“Pine Box Boogie”) and much in between. Johns’ strong voice is one that resonates heavy, and could easily be mistaken for a powerhouse country star. Perhaps he should be just that.
12. Travesura – Messenger Pigeon
Released on Nudie Records in September, Travesura’s Messenger Pigeon offers a delightfully vintage blend of folk, country, and rock n’ roll. With swirling almost surf rock electric guitar in songs like “Fund the One You Love,” there’s often a magnetic and frenetic pedal-to-the-metal feel, but it also encompasses more lonesome low n’ slow songs like “Fall” and the title track. Led by professional skateboarder Leo Romero, the band delivers a super endearing and jangly Dylan-adjacent vibe in select tracks, and they continue to build their presence on the West Coast and beyond.
11. Jaimee Harris – Boomerang Town
I (somehow) found myself on the same bill for an AMERICANAFEST showcase as Jaimee Harris at The Eighth Room in Nashville this past September, and she was undoubtedly a force to behold, signature red shades and all. It was her single and spooky old timey music video for “The Fair and Dark Haired Lad” that first caught my attention earlier this winter, and diving into Boomerang Town sealed the deal for me- she’s nothing short of a fantastic singer and songwriter, plain and simple.
10. Pert Near Sandstone – Waiting Days
This Midwest bluegrass quartet caught my eyes and ears several years back when I went to and covered their rad summer music festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Blue Ox Music Festival. This group of pickers can hang with the best of ’em, and are just nice dudes to boot. I remember wandering backstage and doing an impromptu interview with mandolinist Nate Sipe who gave some quality soundbites. Their singles “I’ve Been Traveling” and “Out of Time” reeled us in on Waiting Days, and the whole thing is full of killer ebbs and flows among the 11 tracks.
9. East Nash Grass – Last Chance to Win
Following up with back to back bluegrass albums, the pride and joy of Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge, East Nash Grass, dropped their sophomore album, Last Chance to Win, in August. James Kee and company got their start performing weekly gigs at Dee’s, and that would eventually morph into a full-fledged in-demand sonic operation taking them to greener pastures. I caught their record release show this summer (at Dee’s), which included a special guest performance from Dan Tyminski, and it was a wrap after that. Notable tracks include traditional-leaning bangers like “Papa’s on the Housetop” and “Railroadin’ and Gamblin’.”
8. Myron Elkins – Factories, Farms, & Amphetamines
Busting on to the scene with his debut album, (a Dave Cobb-produced album), young early-twenty-something Myron Elkins sings with the seasoned grit of an Allman Brothers roadie turned singer. I mean it’s wild. Look at him and listen to his music. His early 2023 album, Factories, Farms, & Amphetamines, is chock full of badass rock n’ roll, soul, blues, and a hearty dash of funk. Which, some might argue, winds up under ‘Americana.’ We don’t care. This album just rips. From “Sugartooth,” to “Mr. Breadwinner,” to “Nashville Money,” it’s an epic adventure the whole way through.
7. Daniel Donato – Reflector
We dialed up a few interviews with notorious Telecaster prodigy Daniel Donato in 2019 and 2020, and the infectious energy this guy has is second to few. His affinity for both cosmic country music and The Grateful Dead spurs his own unique and highly technical sound that hearkens to a delightfully psychedelic bygone era. His singles “Lose Your Mind” and “Hi-Country” enticed for this 15-track November release. Donato is a modern day road warrior like his idols, and it’s highly likely you’ll be seeing his name on festival flyers more and more for years to come.
6. Cordovas – The Rose of Aces
While we’re still on the subject of cosmic country and vintage rock n’ roll, Nashville mainstays Cordovas also unveiled their new album, The Rose of Aces, earlier this year. We got a whiff of this album with previous singles like “Fallen Angels of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and “High Roller,” which led us to this promised land.
5. Sunny War – Anarchist Gospel
Oddly enough my first experience with Anarchist Gospel was Sunny War’s cover of Ween’s “Baby Bitch.” Which, if you know me, isn’t odd at all, because I ultimately will sniff out any Ween-related content. The 14-track album seamlessly morphs from one dynamic track to another, offering an array of poignant lyricism and unique roots-based instrumentation. The album features several special guests, including Allison Russell and Jim James among others. Sunny War’s voice and style are like few others in the game.
4. Brit Taylor – Kentucky Blue
Back in 2020 when Brit Taylor dropped Real Me, it was clear she would make her way up the ranks. Her new Sturgill Simpson produced-album, Kentucky Blue, was indeed an epic follow up with bangers like “Cabin in the Woods” and “Ain’t a Hard Livin'”, along with mellower country waltzes in “No Cowboys” and the title track. Taylor’s honey-soaked voice melts hearts and hypnotizes, and is another notch in Kentucky’s belt of notable 21st Century country artists.
3. Michael Cleveland – Lovin’ of the Game
If you can find a more prodigious fiddle player than Michael Cleveland, I’d love to meet them. In fact, I’d love to meet Michael Cleveland. I did however get the chance to see him and his band Flamekeeper rip at Analog here in Nashville for AMERICANAFEST and it was nothing short of spectacular. His March album, Lovin’ of the Game, is a masterclass in traditional and new age bluegrass music, and features many a heavy hitter in the game like Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, Billy Strings, Vince Gill, and several others. Cleveland is in a class of his own, and while writing this, I found an absolutely epic but brief video of a very young Cleveland playing with Doc Watson in what looks like the late 80s. My goodness.
2. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – City of Gold
I remember meeting Molly Tuttle backstage (in the back of a field) at the aforementioned Blue Ox Music Festival in 2021 after her electric day set on the main stage, which included a delightfully surprising cover of Rancid’s “Olympia, WA.” It brought back serious memories of skateboarding in my mom’s basement as a kid to which I discussed with her, and she couldn’t have been nicer. Her star was shining bright then, and a few short years later she’s a household name. From Crooked Tree last year to City of Gold this year, Tuttle and her epic band are churning out the goods hand over fist.
1. Parker Millsap – Wilderness Within You
I had the luxury of being up close and personal to a few Parker Millsap sets during AMERICANAFEST, (also the one Jaimee Harris and I partook in) and man did his songs hit. Namely the fifth track on Wilderness Within You, titled “Front Porchin’.” This song has been stuck in my head ever since, and I get a big Guy Clark feel which is maybe why it resonates so much. His pristine picking, poignant lyrics, and booming voice is a force to be reckoned with, especially when listening live. Other notable tracks include “Running On Time,” “Finding Out,” and the Gillian Welch collab on the title track.
Featured photo: Parker Millsap // Photo by Melissa Madison Fuller
