Put A Record On: Outlaws Real and Imagined

River Shook, perennially bringing three chords with extra truth.

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

"If I Was An Outlaw," Shaboozey: The Shaboozey album has a lot of surprises (complimentary), but none grabbed my ear like this one: essentially, his take on an Jerry Jeff Walker song riffing — appropriately — on his fully hypothetical outlaw life. Totally obsessed. Country is camp! Lean in! — NW

"Beater Car," River Shook: I can't believe I haven't come across a country song called "Beater Car" before — straightforward, and no less potent for it. River continues to be just one of the most reliable songwriters around. — NW

"Crying Time," Ruben Ramos & Carrie Rodriguez: Many thanks to the Country Universe crew for putting me on to this lovely Tejano take on the country standard. I don't know how you would improve on it, honestly. — NW

From the Archives: An Interview with Josh Abbott

Over the past few months, I've been really enjoying sharing some archival interviews from woman I spoke with for my book Her Country, which will finally be available in the UK this fall, on Omnibus Press. You can preorder a copy here, which has a new cover, extended

The 17 Best Country (Etc.) Albums of 2026, So Far

Like sands through the hourglass, the days of 2026 are already way more than half gone (somehow!!). Though we are perilously close to year-end list season, I don't think you should have to wait until then to listen to good tunes. Some of these I've

Put A Record On: A Late-Night Journey Through Country Bandcamp

We all know that Bandcamp can be a jewel for hidden music, so every now and then I like to take a late-night spin through the site for great new country finds - it's much better for the soul than spending your last waking hours of the day

The Don't Rock the Inbox Proust-Ish Questionnaire: Caleb Caudle

There's always been a stark honesty to Caleb Caudle's songs, but on his new album Heavy Thrill, the North Carolina native delves even deeper into the corners of the human experience we all recognize but aren't always comfortable talking about. Recorded at the Cash