The last song Dolly Parton ever recorded is available now on U2's new record, Carnaval De Luz, which is also out today. The "country version" of “Torn (Kent Wells Version)” — a duet between frontman Bono and Parton — and the note Parton wrote to Bono after recording her vocals are both below.
Brandy Clark announced a new album today titled the bird, due out January 15, 2027 via Reprise Records. Shooter Jennings produced the 11-track LP, which features the incredible duo SistaStrings on lead single "Astronaut," as well as a collaboration with Rosanne Cash.
Howl Owl Howl, a supergroup that includes Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish), Mike Mills (R.E.M.), and Steve Gorman, (The Black Crowes), shared a new song this week. The trio also announced a seven-date tour in February 2027.
This past week brought some excellent covers: August Spotlight artist (ND feature) Dean Johnson offered his take on The Replacements' "Swingin' Party" as a standalone single.
April 2025 Spotlight artist (ND feature) Valerie June shared her version of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World." This recording appears on her recent three-song EP of blues and gospel covers, Brighter Blue, out now via Concord Records.
And finally, on the poppier side of roots, Hozier and Jessie Buckley's cover of The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" is out now, included on the compilation tribute titled 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan, which is out today.
Dusky Waters released a new album last week, Mother Magnolia, seemingly without much of a press campaign. The New Orleans-based singer-songwriter, whose music pulls from the blues, folk, and gospel, founded BlackAmericana Fest and has participated in panels and showcases at Folk Alliance International. Check out the title track from Mother Magnolia (as well as sweet congratulations from collaborator/friend Leyla McCalla!) below.
Another announce outside of the usual inbox onslaught comes from December 2023 Spotlight artist (ND feature) Rainbow Girls. The trio shared on their Instagram that another covers LP, They Still Want It, is now available for pre-orders. Check out a snippet of their version of Bobby Charles' "I Must Be In A Good Place Now" below.
Blues musician and singer Nat Myers (ND feature) has unfortunately been recommended another (and a different) round of chemotherapy, so he's putting a bunch of merch on sale. Check out the remaining collection here or contribute to his GoFundMe here.
In hopeful news surrounding "The Big C," however, Joshua Ray Walker has officially been cancer-free for two years! Check out the trailer from his documentary about his journey over at DailyMotion. Read about Walker's latest album, Ain't Dead Yet (ND review) and what it's like to be a writer and a musician fighting this disease (ND feature).
Lastly, for your listening and reading pleasure, check out Smithsonian Folkways' "People's Picks" with guest curator Joan Shelley and Pitchfork's mega list of "The 100 Best Indie Rock Albums of All Time," which features a number of roots records.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
BREK - Ný spor í slóð (featured a story about Icelandic folk music from the Spring 2024 journal)
mildred - "Pitch Boats" (from their album Fenceline, which came out in April via Memorials of Distinction and Dog Day Press)
Mick Flannery - "In The Gutter" (live)
Eliza Thorn - "Get Out of My Mind"
Bonny Doon - "Lucky Ones" (from their forthcoming album, Forever Green, due out on February 5, 2027 via ANTI-)
NEW RELEASES - 11/13/26
Tracy Bonham - Lift
Pony Bradshaw - Through A Glass Darkly
Jake Bugg - Alamo
James Felice - Homeworld Blue
Shaina Hayes - Take the Case of a Rose
Howlin' Rain - Watermelon
Waylon Jennings - Diamonds
Menahan Street Band - Illusions
Schaefer Llana - Full Circle
Randy Travis - Same Old Way
Various Artists - 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan
Hans Williams - Songs for the Neighbors
COMING SOON - 11/20/26
Jim Kweskin - A Songster’s Journey
Lambchop - Demoed
Arlo McKinley - Untitled
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