Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox. Here’s this week’s music recommendation post and playlist, which are for paying subscribers only. If you’re interested in paid content but not able to afford it, shoot us an email.

The Good

“The Acrobat,” Tenille Townes featuring Lori McKenna: I’m honestly glad Tenille Townes is no longer on a major country label - she’s truly much more of a singer-songwriter, and the lyricism on this one is really stunning. A little Patty Griffin, a little Ani DiFranco even, but very much in her own lane, no bells and whistles needed. - MM

Cloud 9, Megan Moroney: Not shocked that I love this album given how much I've loved the singles, but I am shocked generally that I'm so into a Moroney project after how cool I was on her (quite critically acclaimed!) debut and sophomore releases. Cloud 9 is jam-packed with bright, conversational, witty country-pop bangers; the ballads (of which there are still too many, as noted by friend of the newsletter Andrew Unterberger) still mostly avoid overly sentimental cliché. The best of it is a blend of Kacey, Taylor via Ballerini, and just a smidge of Lilith Fair/'90s rock edginess – the latter mostly via Moroney's lightly vocal fried, always sharp and conversational delivery. "Medicine," "Stupid," and "Change Of Heart" — along with the singles — are windows-down, volume-up anthems the likes of which I haven't heard from a country star in way too long. Even the Ed Sheeran collab is listenable (though it would obviously be better without him). Early AOTY contender, and she just dropped a disco-country bonus to boot! — NW