Somehow, some way, we are over two-thirds into 2024, and there have been a plethora of huge releases throughout the year. From Sturgill Simpson’s return as Johnny Blue Skies in Passage Du Desir, to Zach Top’s buzzy debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, to Zach Bryan’s fifth studio album, The Great American Bar Scene, there have been serious Album of the Year contenders coming out nearly every month.
It should go without saying that this is a subjective list; these are simply my favorite albums released this year. It should also go without saying that this isn’t a definitive list either.
Regardless, here are some of the best country albums that have been released this year so far.
Trail of Flowers – Sierra Ferrell
Every year there’s an album or two that really grabs me and doesn’t let me go. This year, it’s Sierra Ferrell’s Trail of Flowers. It sounds like a cliché to say that an album doesn’t sound like anything else being released at the moment, but that is the perfect way to describe this record.
Trail of Flowers is one of those albums that aren’t afraid to explore a variety of different sounds, but every single decision works perfectly. Ferrell is playing with classic bluegrass sounds on the lead single, “Fox Hunt,” and “Money Train,” a nearly musical sound on “Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time In Cheatham County” and “I’ll Come Off The Mountain” and finally a more modern sound on the album opener “American Dreaming” and “Wish You Well.”
Ultimately, Trail of Flowers a record simply sucks you into the weird, charming world of Sierra Ferrell through incredibly melodic songwriting and lush production throughout, feeling somewhere between a Tyler Childers and a Dolly Parton record.
Passage Du Desir – Johnny Blue Skies/Sturgill Simpson
It should go without saying that whenever Sturgill Simpson releases an album, it’s automatically going to be a frontrunner for Album of the Year. With Passage Du Desir, this sentiment remains true. One of my favorite things about Simpson as an artist is that he’s never going to do the same album twice, and Passage Du Desir is another great example of this. It’s no High Top Mountain, it’s no Metamodern Sounds in Country Music and it’s certainly no SOUND & FURY. But that’s what makes it special.
The record blends a lot of different sounds and influences, leaning more into a classic rock sound for a majority of its runtime. With that being said, however, you still get some of that classic bluesy, country sounds on tracks such as “Scooter Blues” and “Who I Am.”
Passage Du Desir also contains some of the best constructed songs from Simpson to date, with “Right Kind of Dream” and the album’s standout, “Jupiter’s Faerie” providing some all-time lyrics from the “Long White Line” singer.
At the end of the day, Passage Du Desir, is one of those albums that I can only see Sturgill Simpson making, and it once again proves why he is one of the greatest artists of our generation. Between his masterfully penned lyrics, the epic, sprawling construction of the songs themselves and production that feels as if it doesn’t belong to one single genre or time period, it is, without a doubt, one of the best albums of the year across music.
The Great American Bar Scene – Zach Bryan
Given how astronomically large Zach Bryan has gotten over the last two years, the expectations were incredibly high for The Great American Bar Scene. While I don’t think it quite captures the magic present on DeAnn and his major-label debut, American Heartbreak, there’s no denying that The Great American Bar Scene continues to prove that Bryan is one of the most prolific songwriters working today.
It’s clear that that Bryan was much more focused on crafting narratives that would be brought up in quiet conversations at a bar. It’s not an album full of your stereotypical “bar songs,” instead opting to detail all of the stories swapped, memories made and people met at the titular, Great American Bar Scene.
Overall, The Great American Bar Scene is another rock-solid album from the Oklahoman singer/songwriter. Though I would have liked to see him explore some different sounds a little bit more frequently throughout the album similarly to his 2023 self-titled release, there’s no denying just how good of a lyricist Bryan is. While I’m not going to crown him as the best lyricist of our generation given that the likes of Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers and John Mayer (among others) have many years on Bryan, it’s becoming abundantly clear that he is one of the best of the best.
For my full thoughts on the album, read here.
Fighting For – Evan Honer
Remember when Luke Bryan said that Evan Honer should stick to diving on American Idol? Yeah, me too, and it’s just as ridiculous today as it was back in 2022. Not only does Honer have one of the most unique, strong voices in the genre today, he also has proved he’s one of the most versatile writers as well.
Honer covers a lot of ground here on the lengthy 16-track, 57-minute LP. From vulnerable songs about mental health (“Brother,” “Empty On the Inside”) to reflective, funny songs about growing up (“Nowhere Fast,” “Idk Sh*t About Cars”) to knife-twisting songs about heartbreak (“Greetings from Tulsa, Oklahoma,” “Someone You Don’t Know”), the Arizona native lays everything out on the table on Fighting For.
Much in the vein of his contemporaries, Jason Isbell and Zach Bryan, as well as his inspirations, Jim Croce and Bob Dylan, Honer effortlessly pens songs about heartbreak that still feel fresh with unique perspectives and melodies throughout the album.
Roadrunner! – Kaitlin Butts
Much like Sierra Ferrell’s Trail of Flowers, I can’t help but to applaud Kaitlin Butts for leaning into world-building and creating a wholly unique album listening experience. There are albums that feel cohesive, there are albums that feel cinematic and then there is Roadrunner!.
Whether it’s the use of the overture to kick off the record, the interlude, “Soliloquy: Out Of My Dreams,” that transitions beautifully from the bouncy “Wild Juanitia’s Cactus Juice” to the melancholy “People Will Say We’re In Love” or the inclusion of “People Will Say We’re In Love” from Oklahoma!, it’s clear that Butts wanted to craft a theatrical album experience, and she absolutely nailed it here on Roadrunner!
Though she’s known by many as a frequent collaborator with Flatland Cavalry on songs such as “A Life Where We Work Out” and “Mornings With You,” Butts proves that she is so much more than that on this record. Her undeniable charm, incredible vocals and biting wit as a songwriter are showcased beautifully.
Half Life – Wyatt Flores
I don’t think it’s a controversial statement to say that Wyatt Flores is the biggest star coming out of the alt-country scene since Zach Bryan, and Flores proves why that is on Half Life. Coming just five months after his previous release, Life Lessons, Half Life continues the “Please Don’t Go” singer’s hot start to his career.
Despite only being 8-songs, the project covers a lot of ground both sonically and lyrically. From his brilliant cover of The Fray’s 2006 hit, “How To Save A Life” to the traditional “Wish I Could Stay” to desolate “I Believe In God,” Flores showcases his versatility here on Half Life.
Overall, Half Life feels like the perfect accompanying project to his 2023 release, Life Lessons, and furthers Flores’ deep exploration into depression and mental health awareness. It’s a tight, focused release that beautifully crafted and ultimately extremely important for many going through the same struggles Flores is depicting.
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
With an album titled, Cold Beer & Country Music, one may think that they’re in for a derivative, boring country record that is more in line with bro-country artists such as Florida Georgia Line, not George Strait. Zach Top, however, is not that type of artist.
The album feels tailor-made for anyone looking to be transported right back to the ‘90s. From Top’s smooth, twangy voice, to the heavy inclusion of fiddle and steel guitar, to the classic 12-song structure of the album, Cold Beer & Country Music feels like a direct homage to the sound so many grew up listening to.
You could argue that Cold Beer & Country Music, as a whole, is a bit too derivative of the aforementioned ‘90s sound that many crave to hear 30 years later, but I wholeheartedly welcome it. Lately, the two dominating sounds in country music have been the low-fi, acoustic sound popularized by Zach Bryan and the extremely hip-hop/R&B-influenced sound popularized by Morgan Wallen. To hear an extremely straight-down-the-middle, neo-traditional album feels extremely fresh today despite its familiar concepts.
$10 Cowboy – Charley Crockett
There are few artists in the genre that possess the overall swagger that Charley Crockett has, and $10 Cowboy showcases it brilliantly. It’s clear that Crockett has a style that can only be described as a throwback to the 70s. With that being said, however, he draws inspiration from that time period while still making every song feel like his own, not some cheap copy of yesteryear.
His sultry baritone vocals coupled with his patented smooth delivery simply feel like butter on each and every one of the 12 songs on the record. The heavy inclusions of steel, chunky guitar riffs and the occasional horn sections present on “America” make $10 Cowboy a delight to listen to sonically.
Though there are many artists who are trying to capture sounds and styles from different eras of country, whether its the 70s, 80s or 90s, there aren’t many doing as effectively as Charley Crockett.
Norther – Shane Smith & The Saints
There are some albums that suck you in from the first listen and others that are slow burns. I’ll be the first to admit that Norther was the latter for me. That being said, after subsequent listens, I can truly say that this record is a brilliant piece of southern rock-inspired country.
Using the term dynamic always feels like a bit of a cop-out while reviewing a song or album, but I can’t help but feel that way about Norther. The way Smith and Co. balance in-your-face, powerhouse tracks like “Book of Joe,” “1,000 Wild Horses” and “Fire in the Sky” with the reserved, softer songs such as “All the Way,” “Wheels” and “The Greys Between” is nothing short of impressive.
Smith’s vocals are off-the-charts here on Norther. With a rasp akin to late-career Johnny Cash and vocal runs similar to fellow alt-country star, Charles Wesley Godwin, Smith delivers an all-time vocal performance that pairs beautifully with his introspective lyrics throughout.
Made by These Moments – The Red Clay Strays
Call them a country band, call them a southern rock band, call them whatever, there is absolutely no denying that The Red Clay Strays are one of the most exciting bands in all of music today. With all five members playing on every single track, accompanied by legendary producer, Dave Cobb, there is a not a single wasted note or chord present on Made by These Moments.
Simply put, Made by These Moments feels like a shot of adrenaline straight to the chest. Whether it’s the album-opener, “Disaster,” “Ramblin'” or “Wasting Time,” Red Clay packs the album to the brim with some of the most electric guitar work you’ll hear on any album this year. There are few albums that feel like they rival the work of Lynyrd Skynyrd, but Made by These Moments absolutely strikes a similar chord.
Leavin’ This Holler – 49 Winchester
Despite only releasing a few days ago, Leavin’ This Holler has already risen through the ranks to earn a spot on this list. 49 Winchester have made a name for themselves in the independent country scene since their debut in 2014 with their patented blend of country and rock, and it’s never sounded better than it does here on Leavin’ This Holler.
It should go without saying that frontman, Isaac Blaine Gibson, has one of the most dynamic voices in all of country music, and it is showcased beautifully throughout the record. “Fast Asleep” as well as the epic, sprawling album-closer, “Anchor,” are easily some of the standouts vocally from Gibson.
Overall, Leavin’ This Holler is the perfect album for someone looking for a blend of country and rock that simultaneously keeps lyricism as a priority. There’s no doubt that Gibson is one of the most underrated songwriters in the genre, and this record is another testament of his ability.
Change the Game – Cody Jinks
Change the Game is everything that you would expect from Cody Jinks and more. You get the classic southern rock, country and blues influences that have been at the forefront of Jinks’ outlaw sound since the beginning of his career.
What ultimately makes the album stand out is its focus and authenticity. Jinks proverbially lays it all out on the table here, detailing his struggle with alcoholism and sobriety throughout with tracks like “Sober Thing,” “Take This Bottle (feat. Pearl Aday)” and “Wasted.”
With that being said, Change the Game isn’t all somber laments about addiction. The pre-released “Outlaws and Mustangs” as well as “Deceiver’s Blues” and “A Few More Ghosts” provide that classic rambling, rockin’ edge that Jinks is known for.
Fathers & Sons – Luke Combs
From the announcement of the album, Luke Combs made it clear that Fathers & Sons was not going to be a crowd-pleasing record. Instead of leaning on songs similar to his hits such as “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “When It Rains It Pours” and “She Got the Best of Me,” Combs decided to create a laser focused, 12-song album that dives into his journey into fatherhood.
Though Combs has gone on record saying that Fathers & Sons is not a concept record, there’s no denying that it bears a strong resemblance to one with every single song present on the album focusing on different aspects of being a man, primarily being a father and a son.
Fathers & Sons is ultimately not going to be an album that will please the masses; however, it’s an incredibly strong one from an artistic standpoint. Many people, myself included, have been waiting for Combs to take some big creative swings, and this record produced the hit that many have been looking for.
Honorable Mentions
- Silverada – Silverada
- Keepin’ The Lights On – Kameron Marlowe
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- hungover – Ella Langley