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It’s the first album of new material in six years for Colin Meloy and his band of fellow Oregonians. To quote Stereogum, it “feels like a career summary of everything the Decemberists are and have been, juxtaposing stripped-down folk and buoyant pop songs against lengthy monoliths on a 68-minute double album that ends with a 20-minute retelling of the legend of Joan of Arc.”

We first got to know Swedish singer-songwriter Julia Logan in 2022 with her beautiful, dreamy folk-pop album Everly Foreverly. She grew up on a small Swedish island outside of Stockholm, but she also spent a few of her teenage years in southern California, where her mother’s from, and she learned the guitar from a local hippie. We feel fortunate to offer you an extra-early preview of this album before it becomes available in November. This one, like her previous one, was made in close collaboration with First Aid Kit’s producer, Daniel Bengtson.

With twenty-three albums and several million miles under the West Texas native’s belt, Driven to Drive is Ely’s first road album, featuring a collection of songs inspired by his travels of different eras of his illustrious career which spans five decades. The new LP was self-produced by Ely and stitches together recordings over several decades at Spur Studios, his home recording facility outside of Austin. Of course we also love him for being one-third of the iconic Texas-based trio The Flatlanders along with Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Dan Bern. And it wasn’t just the Covid pause, either, though that contributed to his absence. “In the middle of the pandemic, Jonathan Plaut (from the Boston-based band Jane’s Great Dane) suggested I come out to Connecticut and record some songs with them. I hadn’t been in a room with other musicians for over a year! Those sessions let to a second session, some months later, and eventually, Starting Over.” In addition to his music, Bern is a painter, the author of several books, and has his own podcast and internet radio station.

We’re pleased to see a new one from this roots-rock trio in a number of years. Blake Christiana, drummer Robert Bonhomme, and bassist Rick Buge are back with this album that blends alt-country and Americana with thoughtful, sometimes wry lyrics. Born, Blessed, Grateful, & Alive is a fine return to form, capturing the band's rep as a road-seasoned live band. Along with producer Damian Calcagne, the album also features Mike Robinson and Johnny Grubb (Railroad Earth), Andy Falco (Infamous Stringdusters), Mike Sivilli (Dangermuffin), Heather Hannah, and Elliott Peck (Midnight North).

Over the last few years of taking the bluegrass, jamband, and live music worlds by storm, Billy Strings has been awarded Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards, Artist of The Year at the 2023 and 2022 Americana Music Awards, Entertainer of the Year at the 2023, 2022, and 2021 International Bluegrass Music Awards, Best New Headliner at the 2022 Pollstar Awards and Breakthrough Artist of the Pandemic at the 2021 Pollstar Awards among several other accolades. Now comes his first live album release!

It’s his first album in six years for this somewhat reclusive New England singer/songwriter, and the first on his own Liula Records label. Black Mountain’s own Seth Kaufman, of Floating Action fame, served as multi-instrumentalist, co-producer, and mixer/engineer! Also present are Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle, a.k.a. The Secret Sisters.

It’s hard to believe this is already their 26th album, but if you’re not familiar with this wild, mercurial Australian band, it’s a great start. For Flight b741, bandleader Stu Mackenzie says King Gizzard “wanted to make something that was primal, instinctual, more ‘from the gut’ – just people in a room, doing what feels right. We wanted to make something fun.” As Relix says, “‘Field of Vision’ is a greased-up garage rock stomper, driven to dust by the band’s six-piston ignition and smoldering like a tire fire.” They’re in the midst of a 40-date North American tour that included Asheville last month, a show that wildly praised!

You’ve gotta love someone whose prime influences include Bob Wills and Howlin’ Wolf! Eliza has spent years busking and traveling, and her debut album reflects both retro and modern Nashville. Other musicians here include Chris Scruggs, Dennis Crouch, and Nate Leath.

This 10th album from Drew and the band celebrates their sense of togetherness, with each other and with their fans. Produced by Cason Cooley, it expands the band’s mix of timeless songwriting, modern-day Laurel Canyon folk, amplified Americana, and heartland rock & roll. Song by song, Strangers No More Volume 2 offers an all-encompassing view not only of the places Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors have been, but where they’re headed next, too. It’s an invitation into the band’s world.