Put a Record On: Seven minute psychedelic country songs about faith

Plus, a wedding playlist for Natalie!

Hi DRTI fam! I hope you all will join me in sending Natalie a huge congratulations (and mazel tov) on her wedding this weekend! I am extremely bummed that I can’t make it, but I will be listening to Sam Hunt all day tomorrow in her honor. Leave her some well wishes in the comments.

Anyway, I’ll be helming all of this week’s music recommendation post and playlist while Natalie rehearses and whatnot (these posts 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!).

-Marissa

Photo: Emma Delevante

The Good

“Born Again,” Zach Russell: Things take a turn about two minutes into this chugging country mediation on religion, and on how important it is to deconstruct and reclaim the things that are drilled into our brains from birth and shape them into something that fits us better: shit gets downright trippy. The locomotive beat keeps things grounded while the guitars head towards the sky (or the shrooms?). Can’t wait to hear what’s to come on Zach’s new record, due in December. I know it will be anything but predictable.

Too Much of a Woman, Roberta Lea: I’ve been waiting for this record since I first saw Roberta Lea at a Black Opry showcase and was floored. Roberta can do it all - country radio ready bops (“Girl Trip”), smart storytelling (“Threw it All”) and good ol kiss offs with smart wordplay (“Small Town Boy”). This is a fully-realized, dynamic debut from an artist who has the whole dang package.