This year country artists diversified and spread their wings into new territories, producing albums that stretched the genre and provided a much-needed modern injection. Though there is someway to go in US radio play, female country artists were at the forefront, producing staggering albums – importantly Kacey Musgraves won out the rest of her category full of males to pick up the CMA for Album of the Year alongside Billboard’s Innovator Award. This was a stalwart year of country music, both in variety, talent, new and old artists – 2018 is one for the record books, including with new UK artists that brought another element to the genre.
The debut album from Jordan Davis – Home State, including the popular tracks ‘Singles You Up’ and ‘Take It From Me, is a sonically diverse album, complete with Sam Hunt-esque catchy melodies and songs like ‘Slow Dance in a Parking Lot’ that are ripe for the picking as a first dance song. The album’s got blues, country, pop and rock elements – testament to Davis’ Louisiana roots. He’s one we can’t wait to catch over here in the UK.
Standout track: Slow Dance in a Parking Lot
17. Jimmie Allen, Mercury Lane
Jimmie Allen truly made his mark on the UK known in October for Country Music Week, where he earned a place in the hearts of the UK with an easy, relaxed and likeable charisma on stage. This first album, hot off the heels of his popular singles ‘Best Shot’ and ‘Blue Jean Baby,’ was hotly-anticipated, and for those who keep comparing him to Darius Rucker, it is proof that Allen is blazing his own trail (just listen to All Tractors Ain’t Green). Most of the tracks are written by Jimmie, but the tracklist also reads as a who’s who in Nashville songwriting, with songwriting credits to Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Ash Bowers and Brett Warren amongst others. This is a powerful debut, which is set to gain even more traction in 2019.
Standout track: All Tractors Ain’t Green
The incredibly likeable quintet, LANCO, are set to return to the UK in May 2019. Though many will know ‘Greatest Love Story,’ the album in its entirety is worth a repeat listen, jam packed with love songs and serene yet catchy melodies – it’s an engaging listen.
Standout Track: Troublemaker
This is one for the books. Brown’s album is – as it’s name rightly suggests – an experiment with the country genre, pushing the boundaries. This is a mature album, showing the ways Brown has grown since his previous work – knowing when to push bigger production and when to let the songs speak for themselves. This is a brave album, leading many to question whether it’s even country… but with the story-telling songwriting and Brown’s story, it’s hard to describe it as anything else.
Standout Track: Homesick
14. The Shires, Accidentally On Purpose
Christened King and Queen of UK country, The Shires returned in full force this year with their third studio album, ‘Accidentally on Purpose,’ along with a ramped up UK tour – including a date at the Royal Albert Hall. This their third album is both a return back to their ‘Brave’ best but also a leap beyond that, with increased, clever production, collaborative songwriting – including a track from Ed Sheeran – and yet more powerful vocals. The album has deservedly received much support from BBC Radio 2 and is a testament to the shrewdness of the pair in creating an album as a fully-fledged work of art and their reading of the country genre in the UK.
Standout Track: Sleepwalk
13. Pistol Annies, Interstate Gospel
If you can think of a more inspiring, boss-lady trio in country music, we’ll wait…
The Pistol Annies are back, and here they prove how unafraid they are to be exactly who they want to be, releasing music they are proud of, and not what is dictated by the confines of the industry. Each of them has a chance to showcase their stunning vocals, and the entirety of the album reads as a team creation. For those who believe the hillbilly sound has been sidelined in country music, think again…
Standout Track: Best Years Of My Life
12. Carrie Underwood, Cry Pretty
As if she needed to prove the power of her vocals, even to herself, Carrie Underwood does just that in this 2018 release. Working with producer David Garcia for the first time, the record allows Underwood to not only showcase her extraordinary vocal range and ability, but also change up the tempo in perhaps surprising directions, including with sultry ‘Backsliding,’ more pop-rap ‘The Champion,’ and the potential dance numbers ‘Southbound’ and ‘End Up With You.’ Underwood didn’t need to prove her vocal abilities, but this album allows her to straddle the pop-country divide and produce something new.
Standout Track: Southbound
Unassuming as always, Dan + Shay’s self-titled LP is another quietly unassuming record, with more power behind it than may at first appear. Without following the crowd producing hugely over-produced numbers, they manage to create magic through simple songs and beautiful harmonies – Shay Mooney undoubtedly has one of the most gorgeous male vocals in country music (even able to rival Kelly Clarkson’s vocal on Keeping Score). This is a beautiful collection of songs, with heart and love right at its core.
Standout Track: Tequila
One of the best debut albums we can remember, Devin Dawson’s Dark Horse has been producing huge waves, with many comparing it to a country John Mayer. This is one that manages to blend not just country and pop, but also blues, Motown, soul and rock – while remaining harmoniously integrated as an entire project, probably owing to the fact that Dawson had a hand in writing all the tracks on the album. Every song shows a different side to his sensitivities, exposing his vulnerable side beneath a thin veneer of cool, musical swagger. The standout track is undoubtedly ‘Asking For a Friend,’ where delicate production marries with proficient songwriting. Produced by Jay Joyce, who is now working on Tenille Townes’ LP, this was clearly a match made in heaven and bodes well for her release next year.
Devin Dawson will return to support Dan + Shay in January and it’s one not to miss.
Standout Track: Asking For a Friend
Renowned as a prolific songwriter in Nashville, Lori McKenna is the model for understated, quiet success. The Tree is a masterclass in songwriting from start to finish, showing just why McKenna is one of those songwriters, artists are desperate to collaborate with. The themes are quieter and more understated too, including themes of family and domesticity, showing how an album can be quiet and still beautiful and powerful, making everyday elements beautiful and poignant.
Standout Track: People Get Old
Joshua Hedley’s sets at Old Blue Last and The Long Road were as memorable as they come. This album quietly entered the scene this year, and it’s a beauty, jam-packed with nostalgia and musical riffs of a bygone era. It’s an album full of taste from start to finish, a perfectly short, concise record (as Hedley himself wanted it to be) that says all it needs to say in less than half an hour. This is pure country at its finest, full of soul, melancholia and powerful stories and makes us all want to hop on a flight stateside.
Listen to Joshua on the podcast here.
Standout Track: Weird Thought Thinker
British singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas returned this year with her fourth studio album, and it was her best work yet, both in terms of her songwriting and performance. This is unlike anything she has released yet, each song a polished, unique gem, every track unveiling yet another aspect of Silvas’ heart, music and personality. The record feels like Silvas at her most raw and vulnerable, but also her most strong and independent – Silvas is one of those artists who doesn’t need to shout about her strength but can quietly unveil it through her writing and independent releases and performances. The album shows why Silvas commands so much respect in Nashville and here, and is another case of Silvas remaining true to herself and her music yet diversifying and pushing the boundaries and bar yet higher.
Standout Track: Smoking Your Weed
6. Heather Morgan, Borrowed Heart
If anyone wants to be fall in love with music and songwriting again, one listen to Heather Morgan’s debut record will do just that. Famed for her songwriting with the likes of Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Brett Eldredge etc., this record announces Morgan’s arrival as an artist and singer, and it’s simply stunning. It is crystal clear that the record was written by someone with years experience writing, for every song is gorgeously composed, poignant and vulnerable, with a beauty that sticks with you long after the first listen. Morgan has clearly thought long and hard about the album as a work of art from start to finish, with seamless sequencing. It is high time that she gets the recognition she deserves as an artist for more than just her writing though, for her voice is a rare gift and one that we’re glad she has finally shared with the world.
Standout Track: Arms of a Lion (feat. Lori McKenna)
5. Brothers Osborne, Port Saint Joe
Recorded at Port Saint Joe, Brothers Osborne’s sophomore album allows the duo to advance their sound further, and to show off both brothers ability – both T.J.’s gorgeous baritone voice and John’s staggering guitar riffs and solos. Deservedly the duo won another CMA this year for Vocal Duo of the Year, and it is not hard to see why – one listen of the album is proof enough. Here, the duo breathe new life into the country genre, with sultry and laidback tunes and melodies, each track distinct and unique, with poised production provided by the perennially talented producer Jay Joyce. With tracks that get the crowd going (Shoot Me Straight) to moments of increased reflection and powerful stories (I Don’t Remember Me Without You), the album has it all and is an enormous testament to the musicianship and writing of these talented siblings.
Standout Track: Tequila Again
4. Wandering Hearts, Wild Silence
The Wandering Hearts this year have truly found their niche and place in the UK country genre – both in brand and music, the band have really found themselves and filled the space that was missing in the UK. This first album from the quartet is testament to just how far they have come and how bright their future will inevitably be. The band make no pretence at feigning American roots – a trap we so often see from British bands – but manage to be internationally relatable, finding a groove that takes from so many broad elements of the country and Americana genre, but is rooted firmly in the UK. The harmonies the four create are pure magic, and the songwriting is both tastefully balanced between upbeat and quiet moments. The four will release a deluxe edition of the album in January – something that will dispel all those January blues.
Standout Track: Wish I Could
3. Ashley McBryde, Girl Going Nowhere
Ashley McBryde has officially stolen the hearts of the UK (quite rightly she will, of course, return in March to the main stage at C2C). McBryde is the exemplification of the country motto of ‘Three Chords and the Truth,’ though she is unique enough to use a few more than three chords. Both the songwriting, and musicality of McBryde are simply staggering in this record. The album provides a moment, not just for country music, but for the wider landscape of music generally. McBryde is as much a breath of fresh air as she is a window to the past, a role model and class act, and this album is one that is bound to be a classic for years to come.
Standout Track: American Scandal
Produced by Jarrad K, we inevitably can’t say enough good things about this record, from start to finish, it is a class in production, songwriting and the general creation of an album as an entire work of art.
Listen to our podcast with Ruston here.
Standout Track: Son of a Highway Daughter
1. Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves produced what is indisputably one of the best albums of this year in music generally, if not the past decade. Working with Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian on this her third album, the record is a huge departure from Musgraves’ previous material – yet the move feels both natural and organic, retaining all the elements that made her so popular with fans in the past. All the success this album has attained is both deserving and inevitable.
Standout Track: Love Is A Wild Thing
