SIERRA FERRELL, TRAIL OF FLOWERS

Sierra Ferrell is a rising star in roots music, known for her distinctive blend of old-time, bluegrass, honky-tonk, and folk. Born in West Virginia, she gained widespread recognition with her debut album Long Time Coming, earning the Emerging Act of the Year at the Americana Honors & Awards. Since then, Ferrell has collaborated with artists like Margo Price, Zach Bryan, Diplo, and the Black Keys, captivating audiences across North America and Europe.

Her sophomore album Trail of Flowers, produced by Eddie Spear and Gary Paczosa, deepens her sound while preserving her whimsical, imaginative storytelling. The album spans a range of styles, from bluegrass to haunting ballads, and reflects Ferrell's personal experiences and reflections on modern life, including themes like the struggle for the "American dream" in the face of capitalism (American Dreaming) and the importance of self-sufficiency (Fox Hunt).

Ferrell’s unique voice and poetic lyrics shine on tracks like Dollar Bill Bar and the playful I Could Drive You Crazy, while Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County honors the history of blues and old-time music. With a love for flowers that inspired the album title, Trail of Flowers is a rich, heartfelt collection that invites listeners to find comfort and healing through her music.

1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧o· ̊

One of the more interesting albums for me this year has been 88rising's 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧o· ̊. 88rising is a musical collective, management company, and record label founded in 2015 by Sean Miyashiro and Jaeson Ma. Since its origin, it has become a platform for Asian American artists. On 1999 Write The Future, artists from their label along with well known hip-hop and R&B artists like De La Soul and Rick Ross, have come together tor create an expansive, 24 track album that bounces from hip-hop to R&B to jazz, to...listen and find found! It's like discovering a great 24 song playlist. 

HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF, THE PAST IS STILL ALIVE

Segarra, raised in the Puerto Rican section of the Bronx, left home at 17 to ride the rails and hitchhike across the country, eventually finding community and creative inspiration in New Orleans. This journey led to the formation of Hurray for the Riff Raff, where Segarra channeled their experiences into powerful, narrative-driven music. 

Their 2017 album The Navigator was a high point, a concept album about Navita, a 16-year-old navigating an over-gentrified city. It masterfully captured the challenges of cultural erasure and the fight to reclaim identity, blending storytelling and activism with stunning artistry. 

Segarra’s latest album, The Past Is Still Alive, delves even deeper, reflecting on their years on the road. Through vivid, autobiographical lyrics, the album explores themes of friendship, loss, identity, and the search for a true sense of home in an increasingly fractured world. Segarra’s Americana-infused indie-rock sound perfectly complements their introspective storytelling, creating a poignant and timeless work.

This deeply personal album stands as a love letter to the people and places that shaped Segarra’s journey and solidifies them as one of the most compelling artists of their generation. The Past Is Still Alive is another wonderful album by Segarra.

PET NEEDS, INTERMITTENT FAST LIVING

Upon its release, Pet Needs declared that their third album, Intermittent Fast Living, was the album that they always wanted to make. This Essex punk-alt rock band from Essex certainly delivers with a supercharged punk fueled melodic set of songs with smart and witty lyrics that combined to create a 'vivid portrait of a band riding high on the rollercoaster that is the rock'n'roll life' It must be some ride and I'm glad to join them on it...at lease for 11 songs.

THE PINEAPPLE THIEF, IT LEADS TO THIS

I've been a big fan of The Pineapple Thief for many years. And I'm super enjoying their latest album, It Leads To This, which is their best album since Dissolution. It's great to see a band still going at it and at the top of their game after 25 years.

Declan McKenna, What Happened To The Beach?

English Singer-Songwriter Declan McKenna took Britain by storm when he first released the song Brazil along with his debut album, What Do You Think About The Car? back in 2015. A lot has changed since then. Including McKenna's songwriting and music. Even so, I was surprised by his latest album, What Happened To The Beach? It is not what I would have expected from him, but glad for the time he spent in California that was the inspiration for this great album.