Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for May 15th, 2026. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the album 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.
Ryan Bingham feat. The Texas Gentlemen
They Call Us The Lucky Ones (The Bingham Recording Co.)
“I got a feelin’ this party’s just about to begin” sings Ryan Bingham in his world-weary, gravelly voice as a fiddle saws behind him chased by rocking piano chords. And on this, his sixth studio platter, there’s plenty of raw, tough, country rocking to back up that exhortation. Bingham has always delivered gutsy, unvarnished albums overflowing with soulful sounds mixed into country, folk, rock and roll and even a little blues. This is his first full-length in seven years, and once again features support from The Texas Gentlemen. That’s a lot of musical styles crammed into just 40 minutes. It’s further proof, if we needed any, that despite all the glittery Hollywood accolades and shiny mantle-filling statuettes, on the swaggering They Call Us the Lucky Ones, Bingham is the same craggy yet literate cowpoke he always has been. (edited from Rock & Blues Muse review)
Teddy Thompson
Never Be The Same (Royal Potato Family Records)
Teddy Thompson returns to the fray with Never Be The Same, this is his first collection of original material since 2020, and he does it across ten tracks exploring music’s enduring preoccupations: love, longing, and the uneasy passage of time. Thompson reflects on the title: “It’s a phrase that, unconsciously, I used twice. And when I saw it on the page, I realized, this is the message of this album. Don’t ever be the same. Change. Grow! Even when the sentiment is, ‘woe is me,’ I’ll never recover after that love or loss.” Seemingly at its core is Thompson’s longstanding commitment to songwriting as a form, inspired by early influences like Chuck Berry, Hank Williams, and Crowded House, as well as the towering figures of the craft. Seemingly at its core is Thompson’s longstanding commitment to songwriting as a form, inspired by early influences like Chuck Berry, Hank Williams, and Crowded House, as well as the towering figures of the craft. (edited from Americana UK review)
Also new this week…
Crow and Gazelle – Truth Be Told (independent)
49 Winchester – Change of Plans (Lucille/New West Records)
Jobi Riccio – Face the Feeling (Yep Roc Records)
Ghalia Volt – Burn The House Down (Ruf Records)
Coming out soon… Bill Kirchen, Joshua Ray Walker, Jesse and Noah, The Deslondes, Marley’s Ghost, Caleb Caudle, John R. Miller, Breakfield, Charlie Marie, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bella White, Maya de Vitry, Rodney Crowell, Corb Lund, Tift Merritt and more!
