WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!! (July 24, 2026)

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

July 24, 2026

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!!

Greg Freeman, "Indu" All Set the Bone  (Transgressive, Oct 2)

All I want to do / Is look at you / Looking at me with the moonlight in your eyes. Much has been said about our kind of music, but seldom has it been deemed romantic. Of all people, Greg Freeman has delivered the year's sweetest moment via the first single from his October record. It's nice to be reminded that lasting musical gems like "Indu" are still possible. 

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Sally Rose ft Palmyra, "Trash Heap Mountain Treasure"  Feral  (Rose, Nov)

Here's a charming bit of feral folk that very few are talking about so far. Backed by a couple members of Palmyra, Rose's little acoustic number lands with the innocence of early Lily Seabird or like an outtake from Dragon New Warm Mountain. Tbh, we don't even recall where we came across this, but it's been spinning on repeat ever since. 

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Orville Peck, "Too Little Too Late"  Mule  (Warner, Sep 17)

Is this exactly what we hoped Orville Peck's new record might sound like? Yes. Yes it is. The very buff singer (has he always been this muscly?) bouncing from pose to pose, the clappy mechanics, and Orville locking eyes meaningfully with a horse. Happy, happy Friday. 

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Alex Izenberg, "South California Blues" single  (Mexican Summer, 26)

We likened Izenberg's 2024 record to the sad boy pop of the late Richard Swift. Dripping with pedal steel, and arriving with a video featuring surfers and mermaid, this second single from an inevitable follow-up is a melancholy psychedelic-flavored treat. We're not fond of sand, so we'll wait in the car while you stroll meaningfully along the shore. 

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Stef Chura, "Danny" Dancing Alone On the Concrete  (Saddle Creek, Oct 2)

We don't feature much from Detroit these days, but we're happy to present the first single from Stef Chura's first project in seven years. For this tough-as-nails roots rocker, David Barbe put Chura in touch with Peter Buck and Mike Mills, formerly of REM, both of them featured on this cut. Since it might be awhile before we have something new from Lydia Loveless, "Danny" will more than suffice. 

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A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER (July 23, 2026)

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER

good news about good noise

July 23, 2026

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Back again for updates to A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster, our routinely updated new release calendar. Buddy Miller is ubiquitous in our kind of music, which is why it's surprising that it's been fifteen (15) years since his last solo album. This will be rectified with the September 11 release of his new self-titled project (New West). On the other hand, Greg Freeman released his very good last record less that a year ago. Transgressive Records has announced a follow-up, All Set the Bone, all set for an October 2 appearance. We're still awaiting the first single from Left Arm Tan's reunion album. But the band has set October 9th for the release of When Tigers Smoked! Minnesota folker Charlie Parr is working with Smithsonian Records to share Rooming House, slated for an October 16 street date. That same date, you'll want to set aside your allowance for that Felice Brothers tribute we've mentioned. Felice County Fair is hitting virtual shelves courtesy of Sony Music. 

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^Aaron Lee Tasjan is presently touring behind his new Get Over It, Underdog LP. Over the years, we've come to appreciate how he readily and intelligently speaks his mind. This refreshing habit recently resulted in a handful of concertgoers leaving his show, apparently offended by his song, "I Love America Better Than You". We're not familiar with suggest.com, but we suggest you look at their chat with ALT in which he gives his own account of the episode. 

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We've been adding singles to our ROUTES-casts from Sam & Louise Sullivan's Love & Devotion, released tomorrow (Friday). Paste calls them the next great family band, and elaborates on their lofty claim in a recent piece. The siblings address their ceramics side hustle, their shared love of the Roches' Seductive Reasoning, and unsuccessful poets who become English teachers. 

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The Guardian catches up with Brittany Howard and Alabama Shakes as we eagerly await August 28th's I Must Be Dreaming. Read all about the events leading up to the trio's reunion, as well as some info about the direction of their forthcoming project. 

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It makes us happy that Jobi Riccio is garnering increased attention for her Face the Feeling collection. Check out Bluegrass Situation's interview to find out more about Riccio's connection with John Prine, migrating from a weird hippie town in Colorado to Nashville, and the best pen she ever owned. 

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We believe Free Dirt Records does trad right. If you concur, or if you're not certain what they do, you'll want to check out Daily Bandcamp's celebration of the label's second decade. The piece also includes several streamable instances of their artists' work. 

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The Overeducated & Underemployed video blog wrangles the very well educated and quite busy David Barbe, producer/musician/director of the Music Business Certificate Program at University Of Georgia. The thorough interview touches on his work as a bassist for Sugar, his work as a drummer for Drive-by Truckers, and the impact of a 1976 Lynyrd Skynyrd show. 

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We're genuinely fond of Styrofoam Winos' recent Any River record from last month. Trevor and Joe from the band wander into the studios for Raven Sings the Blues to sing the praises of a pair of under-the-radar LPs. One of them is called The Singing Hobo and His Hobos!

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We've been following Have Gun Will Travel since their earliest years, including last year's Voyager Golden EP. Americana UK pins down frontguy Matt Burke, and provides a nice overview of the act's past, present, future. We realized that we completely missed their "Angry Monkey" single in May!

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One of last year's most interesting tribute records spoke to the national pastime of covering Neil Young. A pair of follow-up albums have been announced, both benefiting Bridge School and arriving on November 6. Heart Of Gold, Vol 2 and 3, will feature tracks from artists like Tyler Ballgame, MJ Lenderman, Lucinda Williams, and so many more. Read more at the KLOFmag blog. 

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LOOKBACK MACHiNE: Felice Brothers

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

July 22, 2026

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Last week's announcement of Felice County Fair: A Celebration Of the Felice Brothers (Sony, Oct 16) pleased us beyond measure. We're typically a tentative fan when it comes to tribute collections, which can be hit-and-miss, but this one seems especially promising. In addition to Bright Eyes (whose "Wonderful Life" we included in last week's ROUTES-cast) contributors include Nathaniel Rateliff, Deer Tick, Old Crow Medicine Show and more. 

The news triggered in us memories of our initial discovery of Felice Brothers prior to the 2007 release of Tonight At the Arizona, back when Catskill brothers Ian, James, and Simone recorded tracks for Through These Reins and Gone in chicken coops and subway stations. Those earliest tapes are unavailable for streaming (as are a few other collections), but we have enough to assemble this week's thirty favorites streaming below. If we really wanted to muddy the waters, we would include some of the stuff Simone recorded under his own name and beneath the Duke & the King moniker, as well as James' very good Little Ones from last year. We also chose to leave off anything from 2015's Felice Navidad holiday EP. 

But what's below ably represents the ramshackle outfit, from their lovably diy material to more current material that is admittedly more polished though still loose. We'll quote Ian Felice here, who responds to the tribute sessions in typically charming, albeit cryptic fashion: Now imagine animal crackers, goldfinches, quiz shows and chestnut vendors and just know that things will continue as they always have. The only difference is that there will be a tribute record to the Felice Brothers, but know that, in general, things will progress more or less as they always have; the coyotes will continue to chase rabbits through the heather and the windblown tents of circus folk will tumble down the canyons. 

FELiCE BROTHERS: thirty favorites

- "Roll On Arte" Tonight At the Arizona  (2007)

- "Hey Hey Revolver"

- "Your Belly In My Arms"

- "Rockefeller Druglaw Blues"

- "Take This Hammer"

- "Frankie's Gun!" Felice Brothers  (2008)

- "Wonderful Life" 

- "Love Me Tenderly" 

- "Whiskey In My Whiskey"

- "Penn Station" Yonder Is the Clock  (2009)

- "Run Chicken Run"

- "Cooperstown"

- "Fire At the Pageant" Celebration Florida  (2011)

- "Honda Civic"

- "River Jordan"

- "Dream On" God Bless You Amigo  (2012)

- "Lincoln Continental"

- "Bird On a Broken Wing" Favorite Waitress  (2014)

- "Cherry Licorice" 

- "Aerosol Ball" Life In the Dark  (2016)

- "Plunder"

- "Special Announcement" Undress  (2019)

- "Poor Blind Birds" 

- "Days Of the Years"

- "Jazz On the Autobahn" From Dreams To Dust  (2021)

- "To-Do List"

- "Inferno"

- "Crime Scene Queen" Valley Of Abandoned Songs  (2024)

- "Flowers By the Roadside"

- "Younger As the Days Go By"

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IF YOU ONLY LiSTEN to ONE RECORD THiS WEEK (July 21, 2026)

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

July 21, 2026

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

IF YOU ONLY LiSTEN to ONE RECORD THiS WEEK

Waylon Payne's 2020 album served as a comeback following years wandering in the wilderness. The songwriter, musician, and actor had come of age in the family business, as the son of Sammi Smith and Jody Payne. One of our five favorite LPs for the year, Blue Eyes the Harlot the Queer the Pusher & Me eloquently tells Payne's story of addiction, sobriety, redemption, identity, and legacy. The follow-up, Wayward, asks what's next? when the writer has already shared so much. 

Payne is a masterful songwriter in the continuing lineage of country music writers. Where Blue Eyes served as a confessional, Wayward returns to simply telling good stories. A tidy bow can't be affixed to a story like Payne's, so new songs like "The Roses" and "Watch Him Die" continue to mine these rich personal narratives. But, by and large, Waylon Payne has brought us a selection of tunes about the struggle 'n strife of everyday life. A cowrite with Pam Tillis, "Looking For a Feeling" addresses our individual search for meaning and drama: We all get high and low / Turning over every stone. The Latin-inflected "Caramelo" tells a tragic Romeo & Juliet lovestory set to horns and rousing percussion. 

The new project again pairs Payne with award-winning producer Frank Liddell, celebrated for his work with Miranda Lambert and Lee Ann Womack. Alongside Eric Masse, Liddell provides a bed of classic country and soul not unlike Shelby Lynne's records. Wayward's arrangements are both slightly retro and timeless, supported by a veteran band featuring Matt Chamberlain (drum), Glenn Worf (bass), Jedd Hughes (guitar) and the great Chuck Leavell (keys). On "Looking For a Feeling" and "Holding On To Lonely", Payne and his supporting band cruise through bright-sounding, melodic country rock. The latter, written with Charlie Worsham, challenges us to push against our comfort zones in search of companionship. As a vocalist, Payne recalls Rodney Crowell and Guy Clark, a singer who is capable of showy moments, but who opts for tasteful restraint. 

Many of Waylon Payne's best songs follow him into those dramatic, larger-than-life episodes. He relates an especially harrowing dream in "Hell Is Empty", and is haunted by a friend's death on "Watch Him Die": I struggle not to hate myself daily for the way it all went down. Elsewhere, "The Roses" is a masterclass in simplicity of phrasing and arrangement. With its strings and jazz-adjacent bridge, "The Delta" charts a lazy, lilting course into deception: Make believe that you really love me / And tell me so as we walk through the moon. With half of Wayward written solely by Payne, the writer collaborates elsewhere with Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert, Matraca Berg, Aaron Raitiere and others. 

One of the project's highlights, "Weed By the Wall" demonstrates Payne's abiding patience and unadorned beauty: I am a freight train / Forged out of steel / I am a highway rolling west in the morning / My hands on the wheel / I am a full-grown man / I stand alone / And I sacrifice nothing for the sake of the cause / I am God and nature / I am a weed by the wall. Most impactfully, Waylon Payne ends the song and the album with the simple statement, I am a songwriter. Like his parents before him, Payne is currently touring with Willie Nelson's band, embracing the inheritance that was left him. While the path leading to this moment might have been a genuinely dramatic one, Wayward finds the artist seemingly comfortable in his role as country songwriter. 

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ROUTES-cast July 19, 2026

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

July 19, 2026

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

As far as we're concerned, this is the best that we do. We serve our followers most valuably by drawing your attention to the new stuff we track down from week to week, month to month, etc. Is every single thing we include here essential? Naw. While we think it all fits, and that some slice of our audience will enjoy this or that, we know that only a handful of these songs will probably make it beyond this year's short attention span. But from one Episode to the next, we tell a story about what we call our kind of music. It's a story we assume you want to hear (otherwise, what are you doing here). You'll find a gob of our ROUTES-casts at the Spotify link below, which will also gain you access to several years' worth of year-end favorites lists, Lookback Episodes, and plenty of holiday lists. Ho ho ho:

ROUTES-cast July 19, 2026

^ Willi Carlisle, "Mason Jar At the Center Of the World" Universal Bubba  (Signature Sounds, Nov 6)  D

- Two Runner, "Roadrunner" Porchlight  (Gar Hole, Aug 28)

- Chris Acker, "Overdrafted" single  (Gar Hole, 26)  D

- Mama's Broke, "Build It Up" Reunion  (Free Dirt, Aug 28)

- Candi Jenkins, "Holding Out (On Moving On)" single  (Cloverdale, 26)  D

- Waylon Payne, "The Delta" Wayward  (Big Loud Texas, 26)

- Elizabeth Cook, "Girls Of Atomic City" Great Television  (Agent Love, Aug 13)

- Jason James, "One More Cry" Cut the Chain  (Heart Of Texas, Sep 11)

- Gasoline Lollipops, "Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning" single  (GasPops, 26)  D

- John R Miller, "Steering Wheel Drums" The Great Unknowing  (Rounder, 26)

- Presley Haile, "Longtime Lonely" Hamilton Honey Pt 1 EP  (Columbia, 26)

- Riley Downing, "Hurt To Fall" Landfill Poetry  (Oh Boy, Aug 28)

- Bright Eyes, "Wonderful Life" Felice County Fair: Celebration Of Felice Brothers  (Sony, Oct 16)  D

- Leon III, "Invisible Ink" Candy Cigarettes  (MonoSonic, Sep 18)  D

- True Mountain Laurel, "Holy Hell" Angel So Bad  (Birthday Cake, Aug 28)

- Lawrence Rothman, "Word's a Weapon" Here Lies Love/Sawdust To Stardust  (KRO, Sep 25)

- Jess Williamson, "Goodbye To All That" A Mile South Of Heaven  (New West, Oct 9)  D

- Tyler Ballgame, "Live It Down" single  (Rough Trade, 26)  D

- Julia Jacklin, "I Wish (ft the Maes)" The Gem  (4AD, Sep 25)

- Hank Heaven, "I Wanna Be Your Man" Welterweight EP  (Nice Life, Aug 14)  D

- Aaron Lee Tasjan, "Clown Show" Get Over It Underdog  (Blue Elan, 26)

- Lily Seabird, "Portal To the Past" Lightspheres On Their Way  (Lame-O, Oct 2)

- OK Cowgirl, "Cruise the Town" Rhinestone Cowgirl  (Easy Does It, Aug 21)  D

- Attic Abasement, "Player Sky" Moonlight Passes On  (Father/Daughter, Aug 14)

- Horse Feathers, "Like Lavender (demo)" Words Are Dead (Deluxe Edition)  (Kill Rock Stars, Aug 28)

- Clay Street Unit, "Kids (Live From Charlotte, NC)" Live From the Road Vol 1  (Leo33, Aug 21)  D

- Fenne Lily, "Thank You Sorry" Win Win  (Nettwerk, Oct 22)  

- Jake Xerxes Fussell, "Rock Island Line" Old Beloved Path  (Fat Possum, Sep 18)  D

- St Paul & Broken Bones, "Mess I Made" single  (Oasis Pizza, 26)  D

- Leon Bridges, "Tears Of Joy" Happiness Anytime  (Columbia, Sep 25)  D

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To enjoy any Spotify ROUTES-cast, just open Spotify and search for "routesandbranches" to access this most recent playlist, as well as many others from past months.  Or click here for a preview:

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!! (July 17, 2026)

ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

July 17, 2026

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT THiS WEEK?!!

Bright Eyes, "Wonderful Life" Felice County Fair: Celebration Of Felice Brothers  (Sony, Oct 16)

Such a thoughtful gift for the lover of all things Felice and Oberst in your life. This lovingly assembled collection features a great lineup of artists paying tribute to the Brother Felice. Here we'll cite the frontguy for Bright Eyes himself: Whatever little checkmarks in my heart need to be checked to make the perfect music, they check all those things. The poetry is there, the soulfulness is there, the song craft

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Jess Williamson, "Goodbye To All That" A Mile South Of Heaven  (New West, Oct 9)

As devoted admirers of Jess Williamson's work, we didn't necessarily need to her follow her friend Katie Crutchfield down the road to Saint Cloud. Nevertheless, that's what she seems to be doing with her first project for New West. Produced by Shooter Jennings and featuring the Mastersons as her accompanists, "Goodbye" is a fine intro to what should be a great collection. 

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Candi Jenkins, "Holding Out (On Moving On)"  single  (Cloverdale, 26)

Another very strong single from Ms Jenkins, who also gifted us a cover of Fred Eaglesmith's "Trucker Speed" a few weeks ago. With producer Andrija Tokik, there should be a full-length on the horizon featuring more of this seemingly effortless country cheer. 

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Hank Heaven, "I Wanna Be Your Man" Welterweight EP  (Nice Life, Aug 14)

This is the sweetest lovesong we've heard featuring the line, I got my own place but got no rent to pay / Cause it turns out the landlord is in prison. It's the debut single from a just-announced EP from the New York songwriter, who has also served with folks like Del Water Gap and Samia. Chances are you'll also want to their "Thread" single from a few weeks ago. 

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Tyler Ballgame, "Live It Down" single  (Rough Trade, 26)

Tyler Ballgame's January full-length is one of our favorite debuts of 2026. This follow-up single from the fascinating performer slides nicely alongside those songs. It's rhythms and progressions remind us a bit of Lindsey Buckingham's "Second Hand News", without those unnecessary bow-bow's. 

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A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER (July 16, 2026)

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER

good news about good noise

July 16, 2026

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

If you're thinkin' that the Rolling Stones' new record is the biggest story of the week, boy have we got news for you! Our Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster delivers a jawdropping calendar of new releases so you never miss a thing. Since we last spoke, we added a newly announced project from traditionalist Jake Xerxes Fussell. With a September 18 street date, The Old Beloved Path will appear courtesy of the Fat Possum label. That same day, it seems we'll be graced with a new Orville Peck record. You can thank Warner for the arrival of Mule. We're cautiously optimistic about Leon Bridges' Happiness Anytime album (Sep 25, Columbia), as long as it doesn't sound like Jimmy Buffett doing reggae. Jess Williamson's next LP, A Mile South Of Heaven, marks her debut with a new label. New West will release the collection on October 9. Finally, Willi Carlisle's next is a double-CD produced by Tyler Childers. Universal Bubba will bear a Signature Sounds imprimatur come November 6. 

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^ We meaningfully included Bella White's A Sign In the Weather among our favorites for the first half of the year. Bluegrass Situation chats with the songwriter about relocating to New Orleans, being unable to record at the Deslondes' studio so doing so in the house next door, and Muji pens. 

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Aaron Lee Tasjan's Get Over It Underdog appears wherever music matters this Friday. The songwriter speaks to Glide Magazine about the influence of Todd Snider. And also Mitch Hedberg. And Jonathan Winters ...

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News has spread that Amy Helm has been removed from the Board for Levon Helm Studios, and that any future Midnight Ramble plans are suspended. Hm. Showbiz 411 has a few details. 

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Here at R&B HQ, we're rumored to be allergic to bluegrass. While that's only situationally true, we're impressed with the news that Lindsay Lou will be releasing an album paying tribute to the women who helped lay the foundation of bluegrass. Co-conspirators are plenty, including Sarah Jarosz, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and many more. Grateful Web details the project, and also includes the trailer for a multi-part documentary about the sessions. 

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In the week's oddest story, Charley Crockett has booted satanic doo-wop act Twin Temple from his tour. Saving Country Music saves country music by exploring why they were there in the first place, and why there are there no longer. Also, we're hereby updating our byline to read featuring the very best of americana, alt.country, roots music, and satanic doo-wop. 

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Oh no: More bluegrass! The revolving door known as Old Crow Medicine Show has welcomed back Chance McCoy for their current tour. No doubt inspired by our recent Lookback Machine segment, Bluegrass Standard checks in with the multi-instrumentalist to see if he's up for the challenge. 

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Newport Folk Festival has released a series of videos called Sea To Shining Sea, talking to artists about the importance of music in the 250 years of our country. Sierra Ferrell, who seems to have been on the road for the past 8 years, offers some perspective around Mindy Smith's "Come To Jesus". Also, let's encourage more of our artists to wear grills and facial piercings. As a national treasure, Ferrell can pull it off. 

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When is it still legal to perform Grateful Dead covers? When you're Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Relix reports that the duo are continuing what they call their Acoustic Reckoning concert series. You can also read a fuller article for the small cost of your email address!

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Finally, we're impressed with River Shook's recent self-titled collection. Good Country shares our appreciation, and interviews Shook about building the album around their vocals, striking out with labels, and what was up with that Mightmare thing. 

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