Starting to tally my year-end list, and my favorite country/folk-coded albums of the year are James McMurty, Ruston Kelly, Ken Yates (not really country but belongs on people’s lists), SG Goodman, and Caroline Spence. Some absolutely wonderful songwriting.
No Stephen Wilson Jr. thread? This dude is something special. That rare breed of storyteller / song writer.
Good song and funny video but its toward the bottom of my favorites on the new record (which is really good btw).
Really heartbroken about Raul Malo from The Mavericks passing away. One of the greatest live bands I've ever seen and Raul was one of my favorite vocalists in country music. They're obviously more famous for their 90s hits, but their records post-reunion are seriously underrated, especially In Time and En Español. Here's their Tiny Desk from a few years ago:
Turnpike Troubadours, Charles Wesley Godwin, Koe Wetzel & More Reveal Their Favorite Country Albums Of 2025 | Whiskey Riff
Have you guys heard the Carter Faith album? Number 2 on RS Country’s list, some real good stuff here. Very self assured for a debut record and seems to be getting a good push.
It’s a good record. I heard of her from a song she did with Ryan Hurd about my hometown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAfoWAMBTJg
“Solid Country Gold” by Parker McCollum, sheeeeeesh. Talk about something that’s gonna make my summer playlist next year.