If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Rachel Harrington Album : Hush the Wild Horses Quick Description : Superlative roots music. Why You Should Listen : This was a pleasant surprise this week, and worth it for Americana fans. Overall Thoughts : This is the roots record I’ve been waiting for but didn’t realize it. An authentic, gritty album with appeal across the board, this is something that I feel like could be a real grower in a lot of ways. Especially since some of the higher-profile county/roots records this week didn’t grab me, I’m glad this one did. Recommendation : Check it out. Artist : Miss June Album : Bad Luck Party Quick Description : Noisy-but-wonderful punk rock. Why You Should Listen : You're feeling kind of angsty. Overall Thoughts : Sometimes you just get a loud, brash punk record that hits the right buttons, and this is it. Miss June is not trying to reinvent the wheel, but the good production and better songs make this feel like something a little different than what you may...

We're already a quarter of the way through the year! What?! Album of the Week : Artist : Kasey Musgraves Album : Golden Hour Quick Description : Latest from country music's... uh, bad girl? I don't know. Why You Should Listen : Kasey Musgraves is the most interesting mainstream country singer going. Overall Thoughts : Kasey Musgraves is pretty much known as the mainstream country artist that people who hate mainstream country listen to. And while she’s making some serious waves with “Space Cowboy,” songs like “High Horse” suggest a Swiftian pivot in the near future. It’s a great album, all things considered - a lot of the attitude that I always read about finally shows its face for me here in ways her previous records did not but if you listen to Musgraves for her outlaw-adjacent attitude, it’s possibly missing here for you. Still, this is a sneaky great record, and if you've resisted jumping on the bandwagon... Recommendation : ...plenty of room for now. ...

And the rest of the week!: Artist : Tacocat Album : Lost Time Quick Description : Fun indie pop! Why You Should Listen : I feel like the sort of fun, irreverent indie pop-punk that I used to love. Overall Thoughts : From the first song, "Dana Catherine Scully," you get an idea as to where this album is going, and it's just a lot of fun across the board. Fun indie pop is a commodity I was looking for, and Tacocat is delivering with a little buzz to go with it. Recommendation : A great listen this week, definitely worth your time. Artist : Laura Gibson Album : Empire Builder Quick Description : Off-center singer-songwriting. Why You Should Listen : Laura Gibson's brand of folk music is always interesting. Overall Thoughts : I fell in love with Laura Gibson with La Grande , and when "The Cause" hit Discover Weekly for me, I was surprised by what I was hearing, but in a good way The song feels different but accessible, and what makes Empire Buil...