Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for October 2nd, 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.
John Leventhal
National Drift (Rumble Strip Records)
Leventhal says his second all instrumental record a “found album.” Without intending to make a record, National Drift is the result of an outpouring of improvisations recorded while Leventhal was producing Rosanne Cash’s upcoming Blue Note release, Ships. His first solo recording effort, 2024’s Rumble Strip was described by Texas Monthly as “a masterful debut from a promising new solo artist.” His impulse to look for unexpected moments of beauty has served as a compass and survival tactic throughout his eclectic career.
Wynonna
The Hard Truth (Anti- Records)
Wynonna’s first album in over ten years puts the focus on growing up singing in a cabin with her mother, not the megastar, but the girl from Kentucky who reluctantly stepped into the spotlight when she was still in her teens. She’s gone on to navigate adulthood, difficult family dynamics and unimaginable grief on the world stage, including her mother’s suicide in 2022. Artists calling an album their “most personal yet” has become a cliché in the music media world. In the case of Judd’s The Hard Truth, it’s no empty platitude. The album is a triumph of vulnerability, raw honesty and finding joy and human connection even in the darkest moments. (edited from Nashville Scene review)
Also new this week…
Allison de Groot and Rich Ruth – Allison de Groot and Rich Ruth (self-release)
Travis McKeveny – From Dublin To Duluth (Paradiddle Records)
David Miner – West Texas Stars (Edgewater Music Group)
Joe Rian – Think Yer In Luv (Rian Records
Rising Appalachia – Trade My Troubles (self-release)
The Suitcase Junket – To Go On (self-release)
Coming out soon… Shinyribs, Margo Cilker, Laura Cortese, Todd Snider, Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, Charlie Parr, Willi Carlisle, Kaitlin Butts, Josh Rouse, Sam Burton and more!
