First Listen, Part One: New Releases for June 17
Maybe the highest quality new release pool we've had in some time. Very consistent throughout and far too many albums that could qualify as the best of the week, so a two-parter done without a true album of the week to be fair to everyone. Let's get on with it: Artist : Sarah Jarosz Album : Undercurrent Quick Description : Fourth album by the bluegrass favorite. Why You Should Listen : Sarah Jarosz has always been a high-quality listen, but this new album is major step forward. Overall Thoughts : Jarosz is only 23/24, and this is her first album done while she isn't a student. Thus, there's a maturity here that, on one hand, wasn't there before, but, on the other, sounds like we're dismissing her earlier work in saying so. Still, taking this album on its own, it's a quieter, more intricate affair, and it's just gorgeous throughout. She has a sound that's unlike most bluegrassy performers, closer to Chris Thile in song construction than yo...