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John Amen

ALBUM REVIEW: Chris Stapleton Balances Adventure With Tried-and-True on ‘Higher’

ALBUM REVIEW: Chris Stapleton Balances Adventure With Tried-and-True on ‘Higher’

With his fifth studio LP, Higher, Chris Stapleton, assisted by co-producers Dave Cobb and Morgane Stapleton, forges another set of meticulously crafted, adeptly instrumented, and accessible songs. While the Kentucky-born artist continues to mine and rebrand various templates, his voice is undeniably and invariably country, whether he’s

ALBUM REVIEW: Our Man in the Field Looks to Complex Topics on ‘Gold on the Horizon’

ALBUM REVIEW: Our Man in the Field Looks to Complex Topics on ‘Gold on the Horizon’

With Gold on the Horizon, Alex Ellis, a.k.a. Our Man in the Field, builds on the lyrical proficiency and vocal depth displayed on his 2020 debut, The Company of Strangers. Frequently addressing the prerequisite subjects of love and heartache, Ellis also comments on more complex themes, such as

ALBUM REVIEW: The Mountain Goats Navigate New Sonic Balances on ‘Jenny From Thebes’

ALBUM REVIEW: The Mountain Goats Navigate New Sonic Balances on ‘Jenny From Thebes’

Loosely intended as a sequel to 2002’s All Hail West Texas, The Mountain Goats’ 22nd LP, Jenny From Thebes, brims with John Darnielle’s quirky vocals, lit-savvy lyricism, and heartfelt melodies. Unlike the stripped-down and lo-fi West Texas, though, Jenny is fully instrumented and, as with

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Coyote,’ Dylan LeBlanc Sends Voice and Lyrics Into New Frontiers

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Coyote,’ Dylan LeBlanc Sends Voice and Lyrics Into New Frontiers

On his fifth album, Coyote, Dylan LeBlanc continues to mine and integrate rock, blues, folk, and country templates. His voice, per usual, is compelling. His lyrics are evocative, inspired by Southern lit as much as the tones and textures of gothic Americana. The result is an oftentimes riveting set, the

ALBUM REVIEW: With 'Empire Electric,' No-No Boy's Julian Saporiti Exudes Positivity

ALBUM REVIEW: With 'Empire Electric,' No-No Boy's Julian Saporiti Exudes Positivity

With his latest release, Empire Electric, Julian Saporiti — aka No-No Boy — hones the narrative and eulogistic approaches of his first two albums. While previous work, however, leaned toward opaque mixes that evoked a distinct melancholy, Saporiti’s newest songs are comparatively translucent, buoyant, and spacious. It’s as if

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Imaginary People,’ Viv & Riley Embrace Pop Sounds to Tell Modern Stories

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Imaginary People,’ Viv & Riley Embrace Pop Sounds to Tell Modern Stories

Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno’s exceptional self-titled debut from 2021, as well as Leva’s 2018 solo foray, leaned in a notably rustic direction. The duo’s new album, produced by Alex Bingham, largely backburners the old-timey tells as they embrace a decidedly more pop aesthetic. The

ALBUM REVIEW: Morgan Wade’s Voice Punches Through on ‘Psychopath’

ALBUM REVIEW: Morgan Wade’s Voice Punches Through on ‘Psychopath’

With her third album, Psychopath, Morgan Wade steps more fully into her rock and pop leanings while remaining loyal to her country roots. As with her previous LP, 2021’s Reckless (ND review), Psychopath touches on eager love, doomed love, and faded love, among other archetypal themes, each song carried