Put a Record On, XL Edition: Willie Nelson, road songs and actually good EDM country

Tons of country hits and country sh*t for your listening pleasure

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

The Border, Willie Nelson: At 91, most of us would be lucky to be alive and enjoying the view from our couch, let alone still making music - and in Nelson’s case, vital music. This one is a tribute to Texas, to the state’s deep and complicated relationship (and often unjustly violent!) relationship with the country on the other side of the border. Deeply tender and empathetic song choices here, with the influence of Mexican music on not just his sound but country music in general coming through strong, to not just enrich the songs but give an important lesson: there would be no country music as we know it, without the music on the other side of that border. The album ends with Nelson asking us, “how much does it cost to be free?” In his nineties, Nelson is still not letting us get off easy. - MM

"Early Blue," Erin Rae: Erin Rae doing Erin Rae things, that is to say making beautiful songs that feel like the deepest, best breath of fresh air you've had in weeks. — NW

“Old Fashioned Feeling,” Midland: Though my favorite Midland is tongue-in-cheek Midland, this new one produced by Dave Cobb is smooth, sensual moustache Midland, which is my second favorite Midland, so all good. Also please help me understand what is so different between this and what Zach Topp (who I like!)  is doing, except for the fact that Midland did it first just in possibly ladies’ overalls? - MM

"LONG WAY UP," Angel White: Groovy, fuzzed out Southern rock — "It's a freeze out down in Texas, but I'm the hottest thing in the streets," might be the first reference to the 2021 freeze in song?? — NW

Flying Away, Jon Muq: Not country, but what could be more “roots” than this, from the Ugandan-born, Austin-based artist who melds so many disparate influences to make a truly exciting record. - MM

"Leroy," Tigirlily Gold: This is lacking a mote of grit, but it cracked me up that it is literally a country version of "Tyrone"...very unclear if that is intentional??? I like it in spite of myself. — NW