Eilen Jewells lyrically rich 79 Cents, Miranda Lamberts new Bluebird, and Lady Antebellum guitarist Slim Gambills jazzy numbers journey 54321 make up this weeks list of the best country and Americana songs.
Jamie Lin Wilson, Alice
A tribute to an old neighbor whos pretty as a flower [and] tough as saddle leather, Jamie Lin Wilsons Alice tells the story of a tough Texas woman who farms the bottomlands. To vividly paint a picture of southeast Texas, she fills the song with chiming acoustics, pedal steel, and her own Lone Star State drawl.
Dalton Domino, Love Is Dangerous
I look a little weathered from your winds and your rains, sings Dalton Domino, reflecting upon a relationship thats left him bruised and battered. The song helps set the stage for Songs From the Exile, whose tracks were written during the peak of Dominos addiction and released during his newfound sobriety.
Spirit Family Reunion, One Way Ticket
With its blend of old-time rootsy saunter and kitchen-sink jazz, One Way Ticket couldve served as a jingle for the American railroad back in the early 20th century. Come for the unchained gang vocals; stay for the combination of tremolo-laden electric guitar and backwoods banjo. Ride on.
Slim Gambill, 54321
In his spare time as Lady Antebellums longtime touring guitarist, Slim Gambill makes instrumental music rooted in the freedom and smooth delivery of jazz. Here, he changes time signatures and burns up the fretboard with the funky 54321, which also features a horn solo from the Dave Matthews Bands Jeff Coffin.
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Eilen Jewell, 79 Cents (The Meow Song)
Inspired by modern-day sexism and inequality, 79 Cents (The Meow Song) blends satire with scathing indictments. The songs mix of gypsy jazz and old-timey folk music goes down easy, but its Jewells clever writing particularly her final verse, where she references President Trumps comments about grabbing womens genitals that delivers the knockout blow, adding substance to a song thats also rich in old-world style.
The Talbott Brothers, Run No More
A pair of harmony-singing siblings who were raised in rural Nebraska, the Talbott Brothers make cinematic folk-rock for open highways, widescreen skies, and the limitless reach of the American heartland. I dont wanna run, run, run no more goes the chorus of this slow-burning anthem, delivered by Tyler and Nick Talbott with the conviction of two road warriors whove logged plenty of highway miles.
The Highwomen, Highwomen
The leading ladies of Americana and country music team up to remake a staple from supergroups past, turning the Highwaymens signature song into a hauntingly woke ballad with brand-new lyrics about the fates that befall powerful women. Guest star Yola steals the show as a freedom rider who dies during a historic bus ride to Mississippi, but theres plenty of road here for each Highwoman to shine.
Cam, La Marcheuse
Who knew Cam was a Francophile? On her cover of Christine and the Queens La Marcheuse, she turns a French pop hit into an Americana ballad, replacing the originals synthesized electronics with banjo, acoustic guitar, and a lovely vocal performance. Appropriately, the song arrives weeks before Cams European tour, where she will play Paris on September 11th.
Tenille Townes, Jersey on the Wall
One year after its original release as a raw, acoustic track, Tenille Townes Jersey on the Wall is reborn as a stirring, full-bodied anthem about loss and faith, with production from country super-producer Jay Joyce. If I ever get to heaven, you know I got a long list of questions, she sings, frustrated by a world filled with death and injustice.
Miranda Lambert, Bluebird
Miranda Lambert rolls with the punches on Bluebird, another mid-tempo highlight from the upcoming Wildcard. Produced by Jay Joyce, the song doubles down on Lamberts ability to pack a punch without relying on bombastic arrangements or vocal fireworks. If love keeps giving me lemons, I just mix em in my drink, she sings over a cyclical chord progression that makes room for spacey pedal steel, drum loops, and a taut, hypnotic bass groove.