Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for June 20th, 2025. 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.
Lukas Nelson
American Romance (Sony Music Nashville)
Being the son of Willie means Lukas Nelson knows a little something about pedigree, and for his first solo studio album American Romance, he decided to up the stakes even more by hiring none other than Shooting Jennings – son of Waylon and Jessi Colter – to produce. If being the son of a bona fide country legend and having Jennings as his producer weren’t kudos enough, Nelson has none other than the late, great Kris Kristofferson to count as a reason he pursued a career in music. The album’s last song, the ballad “You Were It”, happens to also be the first song Nelson wrote at the tender age of 11, it’s a song that caught the ear of Kristofferson, who told him at the time: “You’re going to be a songwriter. You don’t have a choice.” Kristofferson was of course right, because it’s not birth that destined Nelson to be a musician, but talent, which is something far greater than any lineage. (edited from Americana UK review)
Kelsey Waldon
Every Ghost (Oh Boy Records)
The pride of Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky, and a certified Kentucky Colonel, you don’t get much more Kentucky or much more country than Kelsey Waldon, down to the Bill Monroe tilt of her hat. Uncompromising as she is genuine, Waldon has always leaned into her Kentucky roots, but is unfulfilled just scratching the surface with her writing. Instead she fearlessly explores serious subject matter to make herself and her audience feel and think something a little deeper. “There’s a lot of hard-earned healing on this record,” Waldon says. “I’ve put in the work not only to better myself and leave behind bad habits, but also to learn to love my past selves. It took time and experience, but I’ve come to find compassion for who I was, and that’s a major part of this album.” Waldon also pays tribute to her granny on the album with the song “Tiger Lillies,” and also includes a Hazel Dickens cover to close the album out, “Ramblin’ Woman.” (edited from Saving Country Music review)
Also new this week…
William Beckmann – Whiskey, Lies, and Alibis (Warner Music Nashville)
Vincent Cross – A Place Where Songs Come to Live (independent)
S.G. Goodman – Planting by the Signs (Slough Water Records) +
James McMurtry – The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy (New West Records) +
Micky and the Motorcars – Micky and the Motorcars (independent) +
Special Consensus – Been All Around This World (Compass Records)
Various Artists – Sweet Relief: We Can Help (Flatiron Recordings)
Coming out soon … Ketch Secor, Willi Carlisle, The Wildmans, Tyler Childers, Hayes Carll, Jade Bird, Phil Madeira, Sunny Sweeney, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Tanner Usrey, Molly Tuttle, Kathleen Edwards, Margo Price, The Wood Brothers, Josh Ritter, Asleep at the Wheel and more!
