Put A Record On: Country With Horns!!

Plus summery tunes and some near-misses...

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.

The Good

Tropicana, Joshua Ray Walker: A beachy fantasy concept album makes a lot of sense when you consider that Josh, thankfully, has come out on the other side of a pretty dire-seeming cancer diagnosis as an independent musician (talk about medical bills…). There's squeezebox ("Dance With Who You Came With"), upbeat honky tonk ("Dirty Laundry") and classic '90s vibes ("Whiskey To My Heart") on this mostly lighthearted jaunt, executed with typical ease and fluidity. Perfect for a lazy summer afternoon. — NW

"Blue Cowboy Boots," Karen Waldrup: Some twang plus horns (a lot of that in this newsletter!) from a Voice alum? I'll take it! — NW