Unlike county music, the Americana field is brimming with female headliners.
This edition of DISClaimer spotlights seven of them–Joy Oladokun, Larkin Poe, Sierra Ferrell, Michelle Branch, Karen Waldrup, Nicolle Galyon and Kelsey Waldon. Waldrup is probably the best singer of the bunch, and Branch has the best production. Galyon has the songwriting chops, and Larkin Poe rocks hardest.
Mind you, there are male contenders, too, notably Nathaniel Rateliff, Devon Gilfillian, Sam Bush, The Milk Carton Kids and the Lone Bellow.
The easiest choice to make is the DISCovery Award. That’s a tossup, shared by Devon Gilfillian and Sierra Ferrell, two Nashville artists who demonstrate how diverse Music City’s sounds are.
Our songwriting community has produced few talents as bright as Nicolle Galyon. In a highly competitive stack of sounds, she wins the Disc of the Day.
THE LONE BELLOW / “Unicorn”
Writers: Zach Williams/Trent Dabbs/Brian Elmquist; Producers: Brian Elmquist/Jacob Sooter; Label: Dualtone
–Enchanting. Lead singer Zach Williams croons an echoey love lyric that swoons with cloud-like beauty. You’ll find this gorgeous gem on the band’s new Love Songs for Losers Collection. And you should. At once.
JORDY & JOY OLADOKUN / “I Get High”
Writers: none listed; Producer: Drew Polovick; Label: 300 Entertainment
–Rising pop artist Jordy teams with Americana star Oladokun as his collaborator on this new version of his elegant, escapist stoner anthem. Multiple sonic layers pile sound on sound as they swirl in tune. Joy Oladokun performed at the White House on Tuesday to celebrate President Biden signing the Respect for Marriage Act (as did Cyndi Lauper and Sam Smith). Oladokun also dropped a new single this week. It’s a dramatic anthem called “Power” from the soundtrack of an Al Sharpton documentary.
SIERRA FERRELL / “Hey Me, Hey Mama”
Writers: Ray Charles/Jack Lamontagne; Producer: none listed; Label: Rounder
–I’m still waiting for her sophom*ore album to drop. In the meantime, this jaunty, bluesy, acoustic performance will have to do. Sierra has haunted me all year long. She’s playing a hometown show at Brooklyn Bowl on New Year’s Eve. If you’ve never seen her live, I urge you to do so. She’s a superb showoman, just as dynamic on stage as she is on records. Also, Ferrell is on the bill of “Hello From the Hills,” an all-star Kentucky benefit concert at City Winery on Jan. 7.
DEVON GILFILLIAN / “Let the Water Flow”
Writers: Devon Gilfillian/Ran Jackson/Henry Brill; Producer: Jeremy Lutitio; Label: Fantasy
–This Nashvillian first attracted my attention with his audacious re-recording of Marvin Gaye’s masterpiece What’s Going On. He has also emerged as a champion of social justice. “Let the Water Flow” was issued to coincide with our recent mid-term elections. It’s a soulful plea for voting rights and true democracy. The slow, deliberate ballad depicts Georgia folks standing and suffering for hours, just to cast a vote. A gospel organ and choir gradually come into the mix, lending the track extra power.
SAM BUSH / “Radio John”
Writers: Sam Bush/John Pennell; Producer: none listed; Label: Smithsonian Folkways
–This is the title tune of a tribute CD to the late John Hartford. Bush and band kick up serious instrumental dust while the singer-songwriter wails the lyric reflecting Hartford’s biography and music. Joyous, dazzling and pulse-quickening.
KELSEY WALDON / ”Sweet Little Girl”
Writer: Kelsey Waldon; Producer: Shooter Jennings; Label: Oh Boy
–The Washington Post has declared that Kelsey Waldon’s current No Regular Dog collection is “this year’s best country album.” Her single from it is a thumping, moody, fiddle-embellished country rocker with loads of echoey atmosphere and a lyric about a lost soul on the Hillbilly Highway. The talented Waldon is booked to play The Station Inn tomorrow night (Dec. 16).
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS / “Face Down in the Moment”
Writer: Nathaniel Rateliff; Producers: Brad Cook/RMB/Elijah Thomson; Label: Stax
–I remain a big fan. As always, this act pours soul and passion into its stately performance. A steady, marching tempo is the backdrop for Rateliff’s emoting. The track becomes ever more dense, soaring and audio loaded as it moves toward its finale. This has deservedly become a big Americana hit.
NICOLLE GALYON / “Self Care”
Writers: Nicolle Galyon/Sasha Sloan/Caroline Baker; Producers: King Henry/Jimmy Robbins; Label: Songs & Daughters
–This Nashville tunesmith’s album is a garden of delights. I’m particularly fond of this emphasis track. It is simultaneously tuneful and conversational, poetic and catchy. The lyric is about eschewing botox, hair dye, self-improvement, spiritual expansion and the like in favor of loving who you are, just as you are. “I think I like me,” indeed. An essential for your playlist.
KAREN WALDRUP / “All American Mistake”
Writers: Marcus Hummon/Stephanie Chapman; Producers: Biff Watson/Paul Worley; Label: KW
–Waldrup’s second album, Kendall County Road, is just as potent as her first was. Its emphasis track is the tale of a hopeful survivor. She stumbles in marriage but emerges with a baby she loves. As before, her country vocal is a beacon of truth and believability.
THE MILK CARTON KIDS / “Running on Sweet Smile”
Writers: Joey Ryan/Kenneth Pattengale; Producer: Kenneth Pattengale; Label: Far Cry/Thirty Tigers
–This lilting ditty is a sneak peak at the acoustic duo’s 2023 album. It maintains the team’s sweet, folkie charm, but the sound has moved from that of an old-timey country duo and more toward Simon & Garfunkel territory. Highly recommended.
LARKIN POE / “Southern Comfort”
Writer: Rebecca Lovell; Producers: Larkin Poe/Tyler Bryant; Label: Tricki-Woo
–Blood Harmony is the new, sixth album by this Nashville rock duo of sisters. This is its single, an electrified stomper about missing your roots. Compelling listening, as is always the case with these strong attitude women.
MICHELLE BRANCH / “Not My Lover”
Writer: Michelle Branch; Producers: Patrick Carney/Michelle Branch; Label: Audio Eagle/Nonesuch/Warner
–Sensual and kinda dreamy, this pop-rock outing features her breathy soprano vocals contrasted with a danceable, irresistibly rhythmic track. The production and perfect audio mix are stellar. Well worth your spins.
