Put A Record On: Aging hippie-core, bluegrass and summer songs

Ain't no cure for the summertime blues, except for this newsletter of course

Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox! Natalie here — I’ll be taking you through this music recommendation post, which will be for paying subscribers only starting next week! At the bottom is a little summer treat for the subscribers who have bought in early (thank you!!). Subscribing to get access is easy peasy. Let me know what you think of these picks, and happy listening!

The Good

“Winnemucca,” Eilen Jewell: I’m way late to the Eilen Jewell party! This is off her new album, but I feel like after a brief dip in her catalog I could probably just pull out any song at random and be justified in recommending it — she’s that consistent. The music is a little bit aging-hippie-core but there’s nothing wrong with that at all, just makes me see my future self sipping rose at some early outdoor set of hers 10-15 years in the future a little too clearly for comfort :) She’s clearly a craftsman, every inch of this record is just lovely. —NW

“Back Streets Of Your City,” Joyce Street: Numero Group has done it again — uncovering and collecting recordings by this stellar, nearly unknown ‘70s singer-songwriter. What a voice! — NW

“Honky Tonk In Mexico,” Whitney Rose: Start a song “What’s that on your shoulders darlin’/It looks like the weight of the world — you’re not alone,” and you have my attention. Sweet song, plus accordion which is always a win. - NM

“Please Call Me Darling,” Mya Byrne: A classic-sounding country lament with rich, warm production that still puts Byrne’s voice front and center. — NW

“Hobo On A Freight Train To Heaven,” Seldom Scene: Could recommend on the strength of the title alone, but it’s also just a really pretty bluegrass song that I stumbled upon. Perennially on the cusp of being fully bluegrass-pilled so….look out. — NW

Altitude, Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives: A new album from one of the best bands in country music inspired in part by Sweetheart Of The Rodeo is a must-listen, and the breadth of sounds it contains ensures you’ll find something compelling within it. Whether you prefer the surf rock stylings of “A Friend Of Mine,” the twangy, two-step ready title track or the bluesy “Nightriding,” it’s a breezy, vibey listen that showcases the versatility of Stuart and his longtime band — and yet another example of country music’s veterans being considerably more inventive and experimental than their descendants. — NW

“Beulah Land,” Nathan Mongol Wells: Lead singer of the excellent Dallas band the Ottoman Turks (and, full disclosure, friend of the newsletter) dropped his debut solo single this week, and it’s a haunting, danceable, jazzy jam befitting the biggest Tom Waits aficionado I know. — NW

“Smile,” Kassi Valazza: Marissa hopping in here to add a few, like this one, which is like if Grace Slick made an acoustic country record. I love the textures on this song, the sticky twang, the space. Extremely excited for this whole album to come. - MM

“Always on My Mind,” Amanda Shires & Bobbie Nelson: I probably shouldn’t be listening to a song like this the week my son graduates on from elementary school, as I am an emotional mess. But I guess that’s exactly why I should probably be listening to it. This is an exquisite and bittersweet take on a classic, from an extremely special, time capsule of a project. - MM

“ICU,” Adeem the Artist: God, how has no one thought of this play on words before? Adeem has such a gift of taking country traditions and twisting them to be broader, wider, better. “I can sing a song for you if it makes you feel better,” they sing. It does. It does. - MM

The Mid

“Make Me Wanna Smoke,” Runaway June: The return of one of my favorite commercial country acts that never get real traction because they’re women (an enormous category) should be something to celebrate — their 2019 album Blue Roses is awesome (especially the title track, which knocks me flat every time). Yet this song is just…not that exciting, for all its rock theatrics and boot-stomping bombast. I want to believe that even in their reconfigured version (only one original member remains) they can do better! — NW

“Honky Talkin’,” Jade Eagleson: I think the line dancing/red dirt renaissance has increasing numbers of people doing honky-tonk bingo (what happened to your trucks???) but this is medium charming, if you want to listen to someone trying and failing to be Randy Rogers. — NW

The Bad & The Ugly

“What’s Wrong With That?”, RaeLynn: As if RaeLynn’s decision to lean hard into right-wing politics offstage weren’t bad enough, she’s now apparently putting them into her music. This song, apparently designed for the tradwife corners of TikTok, asks, “What’s wrong if I let a big strong cowboy do what he’s made to do?” In short, RaeLynn, gender essentialism — hope that helps.