On her new, 14th record, Mavis stands side by side with us in the face of dangers she knows all too well, at a time when more and more people have reason to wonder who and what could be lost. Produced by Brad Cook, it spans seven decades of the American songbook — a range nearly as vast as Mavis’ career — and includes reinventions of timeless songs as well as original music.

It's the latest project from Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and her twin sister, Allison Crutchfield (Swearin'), and features MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook. Each of the four artists plays a number of instruments, but the spotlight remains squarely with the two sisters, with each writing and taking lead vocals for half the songs. When they sing in harmony, you’ll notice the kind of magic that close sibling singers can create. One of the major topics they cover in their songwriting here is that of addiction, which their family has wrestled with over the years.

In the making of his fourth full-length, the Atlanta-based singer-songwriter dreamed up a batch of songs exploring the longing and unease of being far from a true-to-life reflection, which he soon expanded into an elaborate concept album about a pilot lost in space.

It was a Halloween show in 2000 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, that members of what would eventually become Greensky Bluegrass played their first show together. The band is celebrating their 25th anniversary with this reworking of twelve of their favorite songs over the years, this time with ten special guests.

Daniel Donato has carved out a unique and individualized spot for himself, one that speaks to the deep American music heritage that inspires him - and that he's pushing towards the future with inspired, intentional vigor. He calls it Cosmic Country, a moniker that's both self-descriptive and a statement of purpose. It's an organic rock band aesthetic with plenty of roadhouse twang; a showcase for Donato's instrumental virtuosity and facility for melodically infectious songcraft. His upcoming album, Horizons, is the follow-up to 2023's Reflector, which received critical acclaim from a wide range of press.

Luke Bell’s time in the music world lasted just a few years, but he became a leader and inspiration in the country-western genre. He grew up on a Wyoming cattle ranch before heading off to Austin and then Nashville to pursue his true passion. “He was a wild man from the West, and he made country music through that lens,” said Stephen Daly, who played guitar in Bell’s band. “If you told him what to do, he would do the opposite. If you tried to rein him in, he’d push away. He always did what he wanted to do.”

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC

Friday, January 16, 2026 | Ovens Auditorium | Charlotte, NC

Brevard’s Lillie Syracuse has just released her album. She’s been playing shows around the region lately, from solo performances to gigs with her band, to special appearances like the recent fundraiser for WNCW by Free Planet Radio.

It's that time again! Time to vote for your 10 favorite WNCW releases of 2025, and help us create the Top 100 for our end-of-the-year countdown airing Monday, 12/29 from 9am to 6pm, and again on Tuesday, 12/30, with different songs.Click through to see the list of albums we have featured this year and cast your votes.