10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2017

by Julian Spivey
​10. Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen
A couple of years ago, Red Dirt Country superstars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen released the duets album Hold My Beer, Vol. 1, which was one of the country music highlights of the year. It appears ‘Vol. 2’ of that pairing will be released sometime in 2017 and look for more quality like “Standards,” their finest track on ‘Vol. 1.’

9. Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss’ Windy City, to be released Feb. 17, is her first solo album in almost two decades – with her usually recording with Union Station. The all-time Grammy leader for performers has one of the greatest voices in the history of any music genre and would likely be higher on this list if Windy City was an album full of new originals, rather than covers like the terrific Cindy Walker-penned “You Don’t Know Me.”

8. Rhiannon Giddens
Rhiannon Giddens truly has the voice of an angel and her debut solo album Tomorrow Is My Turn from 2015 was one of the most critically-acclaimed albums of that year. Her sophomore solo effort Freedom Highway will be released Feb. 24. Giddens album is an effort to bring the kind of music essential to the Civil Rights Movement in the ‘60s and make it relevant to today’s Civil Rights struggles.

7. Angaleena Presley
Angaleena Presley’s debut solo album American Middle Class, from 2014, was one of that year’s most surprising and best country music albums. Presley is able to remind listeners of the legendary Loretta Lynn with her pull no punches style that combines real-life issues with an honesty and aggression rarely seen from performers. Her sophomore solo album will be released sometime this year.

6. John Moreland
Oklahoman Americana singer-songwriter John Moreland has proven himself to be one of the best songwriters in his genre over his first few studio album, especially 2015’s High on Tulsa Heat. There isn’t much known about Moreland’s 2017 release, but this could truly be the year he breaks out.

5. Ray Wylie Hubbard
Ray Wylie Hubbard has been one of Texas country music’s finest songwriters for 40 years and continues to be a true American badass. Hubbard’s last release The Ruffian’s Misfortune (he always has fantastic album titles) was a highlight from 2015 and the 70-year-old doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon with another release reportedly on the way sometime this year.

4. Sunny Sweeney
Sunny Sweeney should be as popular as Miranda Lambert or Kacey Musgraves, in my opinion. The Texas singer-songwriter writes from the heart with a similar personality to those two award-winners. Her last album Provoked, from 2014, was one of that year’s best and her fourth studio album Trophy will hit shelves on March 10.

3. The Mavericks
The Mavericks are one of the best sounding bands in country or Americana music with a unique Spanish flavored tinge to their sound and the outstanding voice of front-man Raul Malo. The Mavericks’ 10-track ninth studio album Brand New Day will be released on March 31. The title track was premiered this week and features a nice throwback soulful sound that fits Malo’s voice like a glove.

2. Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen has had a solo effort ready to go for well-over a year, but it was pushed back due to the E Street Band’s revival of The River, and the subsequent tour of it throughout 2016. The solo album is likely to finally come out sometime this year and per a Springsteen interview with Vanity Fair in September the album was inspired by smooth-sounding ‘60s collaborations like the pairings of Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb and might have a poppy-string sound to it.

1. Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell tweeted shortly after New Year’s that he had a batch of great songs written and was getting ready to go into the studio with his band the 400 Unit to record a new album. This is terrific news for any fan of Americana music, which Isbell is considered the best songwriter of at the moment. Isbell recording an album early this year means it’ll likely be ready for release sometime toward the latter part of 2017. I felt like his last two albums Southeastern (2013) and Something More Than Free (2015) were the best albums of those years, so needless to say, I’m excited for another one. 

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