If It's Too Loud...

There are two bands that are critical to this blog's existence: David Wax Museum and Spirit Family Reunion. Maggie Carson, songwriter and singer for Spirit Family Reunion, dropped a solo album this year that showcased her songwriting and performative chops while also being the best pure roots record of the year. Maggie Carson's vocals and instrumentation for this album feel more akin to an afternoon barbecue than a campfire party, and the absolute force and drama in her voice and presentation in songs like "Your Ghost," and the production puts her banjo and her voice front and center where they belong across the entire album. It was a great year for folk and roots music, and for this to be one of the major highlights says a lot about her strength as a musician as well as how solid this album is. If you haven't given this a proper listen yet, make time. It's this good. Songs of note: "From Here to Anywhere," "Here Among Us," "Wai...

Artist : Soccer Mommy Album : Sometimes, Forever Quick Thoughts : Soccer Mommy continues to get better with every release she puts out. The fidelity is higher, but the songwriting is such a significant step forward that this demands attention. I love love love this album and I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to it. Songs of Note : "Bones," "With U," "Shotgun," "Don't Ask Me," "Fire in the Driveway," "Feel It All the Time" Artist : Boy Jr. Album : Pay Attention to Meee Quick Thoughts : Boy Jr. has, somewhat suddenly, started killing it on TikTok, and while those words might be incomprehensible to a lot of our readers, it's a big deal. Her previous EP, Starter Pack , has a few of my favorites from her, but this album shows that she's capable of a lot of interesting songwriting. "Meet Me In the Middle" in particular highlights her unique songwriting abilities in perhaps the best w...