Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for August 21st, 2026. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp or the artist’s site for ordering or downloading. A + sign means although not a featured release, it’s a notable album that’s still worth checking out. Also, this page will be updated as I find out about other new releases so check back again.
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Reel 2 Reel 4 Real (WylieWorld Music)
One of the most intriguing features of being an 80 year-old singer/songwriter still composing songs is the acquisition of a lifetime of experience for material. He has cranked out over 20 albums of gruff, no-frills, music racking up an impressive list of high-profile fans including Ringo, Willie Nelson, Larkin Poe and more. Hubbard’s approach can be loosely described as a mix of garage, blues, country, and roots rock with nods to the Stones, Neil Young and Bob Seger. Primarily recorded in Austin (with three songs captured the old-school way, on the tape implied by the disc’s title), the two closing selections find the band in Mike Campbell’s LA studio. If this turn out to be his final curtain call, he’s going out in his own honest, grungy, unflinchingly raw style. (edited from Rock & Blues Muse)
Keb’ Mo’
The Breakdown (Concord Records)
Keb’ Mo’ has been consistently releasing beautiful, well produced records for 30 years. The Breakdown finds him in a new, more intimate space. This record narrows the spotlight on Keb’ and his songwriting skills. The artist arrives now with a stripped-down, intimate set of songs with contributions from the Soweto Gospel Choir & the sextet Take 6. The rest is Keb’ Mo’ voice & guitar. This set comes in the wake of Keb Mo’s profound personal challenges. The songs reflect stark & deeply honest themes, but his voice has no scars. Showcasing him as true troubadour. (edited from Americana Highways review)
Also new this week…
Kimmie Bitter – Bittersweet (independent) +
Clay Street Unit – Live from the Road – Vol. 1 (independent)
Brandon Flowers – Thrasher (Island Records)
Ghost Hounds – Justified (Maple House Records)
The Kennedys – Smoketree (independent)
Chris Pierce – Songs Of The Heavy Hearted (Missing Piece Records) +
Stephanie Sammons – Head Noise (independent)
Christian Parker, Patrick Cleary, Earl Poole Ball – American Cosmic Revival Vol. 2: Miles From Nowhere (Edgewater Music Group) +
Coming out soon… Mountain Grass Unit, Eli Paperboy Reed, Two Runner, Pokey LaFarge, The Jayhawks, Billy Strings, Ruthie Foster, Dallas Burrow, Admiral Radio, Buddy Miller, Ian Noe, Riley Downing, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Son Volt, Phil Madeira, Pure Grain, Shinyribs, Mr. Sun, Rhiannon Giddens, Margo Cilker, Laura Cortese, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Charlie Parr, Willi Carlisle, Kaitlin Butts, Josh Rouse, Mary Gauthier and more!
