Put a Record On: All the Excellent Country Music Fit For Music Row to Completely Ignore

And the bad stuff they naturally pay full attention to...

Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox! Here’s this week’s music recommendation post and playlist, which are for paying subscribers only. Subscribe to get access to all our new (and old) music picks and pans, and so much more — including new playlists weekly, which are always at the bottom of this email (paying subscribers — make sure you don’t miss them!). If you’re interested in paid content but not able to afford it, shoot us an email

Caylee Hammack

The Good

"I'll Do It," The Deslondes: Finally got to see the Deslondes last week during an impromptu Nashville trip and they absolutely ruled (Margo Price was also dancing in the front row for basically the entire show right along with the rest of us!). Just one of the best bands working right now IMHO, and they dropped a sweet new song right after the show to seal the deal. Less honkin' and more tonkin', always! — NW

“The Hill,” Caylee Hammack featuring Foy Vance: Caylee is one of those people who makes me insanely mad at Music Row - crazy talented, huge vocals, real love of country music and country instruments. But of course they “don’t know what to do with her” because she’s not fitting into the current bro movements on the radio. This song is like a little bit irish folk, a lot mountain country and even more singing like Dolly but belting like Whitney. I hope she finds a corner of this town to take her as she is. - MM 

"Hard Enough," Katie Mae & the Lubrication: A rough n' tumble honky tonk tune…I haven't been able to resist one yet. LIYL (is this a thing? probably) Sarah Shook and the Disarmers (Katie has opened for River!). — NW

“DRUGS,” Joy Oladokun: Kind of insane to me how consistently Joy writes catchy bops that articulate these very common but underspoken aspects of being human - this one, with the swampy little guitar vamp and choir chorus, is going to sound particularly incredible live. - MM