Jon Young

Discovering a performer with a big voice can be a special kind of thrill. Think young Connie Smith in the ’60s, early Neko Case in the ’90s, or whoever gives you a buzz. There’s something uniquely exhilarating about encountering a singer who has the firepower to rattle windows. Now,

The world is pretty scary these days, but The Secret Sisters are here to comfort on Mind, Man, Medicine. Reaching out to family, friends, and complete strangers — aka you, the listener — Alabama-bred siblings Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle confront a variety of troubles, from social dysfunction to interpersonal strife, with

Expect good vibes when you encounter Mother Nature’s Show, the sophomore outing from The High Hawks. This easygoing sextet exhibits the kind of special team spirit that can’t be faked, working like an efficient, albeit nicely scruffy, groove machine as it spans a variety of roots styles to

Troubled souls who need an ally on the rocky road of life may find a kindred spirit in Iowa’s William Elliott Whitmore. Continuing to dispense hard wisdom more than two decades after his debut, this plainspoken country-folk troubadour ponders existential angst and other primal issues on the compelling Silently,

EDITOR’S NOTE: As the end of the year approaches, we’re taking a look back at albums we weren’t able to review when they first came out. War Planes was released in September. Trauma and sadness cut deep on War Planes, the gently devastating Americana gem from Jacob

Dori Freeman would likely make a good friend in real life. Do You Recall, her compelling fifth LP, features vivid tales of romantic friction that will inspire nods of recognition, introspective monologues sure to ring true for anyone used to self-interrogation, and righteous declarations of outrage at the lousy state