2023 was a great year for ‘the album’ in Country music. A lot of artists produced bodies of work that were sequenced with thought and care and were perfectly designed to counter the ‘shuffle mentality’ of the streaming platforms.
We applaud any artist that doesn’t look to insert filler at tracks 7 and 11! We also applaud artists who are restrained enough not to produce albums that are 57 tracks long too. With that in mind here is part 1 (from numbers 20 down to 11) of our Country music albums of the year.
20. Jordan Davis – ‘Bluebird Days’
‘Bluebird Days’ is the story of a songwriter opening the door to all his emotions and experiences and inviting us all to share them with him. Jordan Davis seems to have hit both a commercial and creative payload with ‘Buy Dirt’ and this has enabled and empowered him and his fellow writers to dig deeper, further and faster into their feelings.
19. Caitlyn Smith – ‘High and Low’
There are very few artists that can speak directly to the nature of the human condition but Caitlyn Smith is one of them: a rare breed to be celebrated and cherished. With a sentence here and a phrase there she can deliver the kind of emotional gut-punch that leaves you stunned one moment and smiling, sometimes through the tears, the next. What a writer. What an artist.
18. Corey Kent – ‘Blacktop’
It doesn’t feel like a typical debut album: there’s more at play here than that. There’s an experience and a deft touch at work that elevates a chorus here, that improves a bridge there or brings in a moment of spontaneity that means this is a rewarding listen where your favourite song will change from play to play, depending on your own mood and what you want to get out of the album.
17. Dan + Shay – ‘Bigger Houses’
Dan + Shay have delivered a brilliant record which harks back to the glory days of their self-titled third album. They’ve hit on a formula that absolutely works for the two of them, holding on to what made them distinctive – specifically their stunning harmonies, powerful vocals from Shay and ability to apply pop, R’n’B and rock touches to create something unique to them – but they’ve also fully leaned into the country side of their sound and produced something that feels grown-up but still with a great sense of fun that stops it feeling bogged down or overly serious.
16. Jade Eagleson – ‘Do It Anyway’
Achieving a harmonious blend of contemporary and timeless elements, this 13-track compilation delves into life’s fundamental aspects: love, family, and personal development. These values have been deeply rooted in Eagleson since his upbringing as a sixth-generation farmer. With unwavering dedication to enduring ideals, ‘Do It Anyway’ emerges as an album that seamlessly melds modern ideals with an enduring and classic soundscape.
15. Restless Road – ‘Last Rodeo’
In ‘Last Rodeo’, Restless Road not only proves their musical prowess but also demonstrates a deep understanding of storytelling within the country genre. Each track is a chapter in a compelling narrative, showcasing the band’s versatility, emotional depth, and undeniable talent. Talent is a word worth throwing in here, too, given that the guys have co-writes on 12 of the 18 songs on ‘Last Rodeo’. This isn’t some manufactured studio producer project: Restless Road are a live, authentic and clever trio of singers AND writers.
14. Brandy Clark – Self Titled
It’s always a giddy experience listening to new music from C2C alumnus Clark, and re-listening to the killer stories she shares (Stripes) but her fifth studio album is next level beauty. Carlile has the Midas touch in music, in the rock, pop and country worlds and Clark didn’t hesitate to agree on recording an album together with her fellow Washington-state songwriter.
13. Stephen Wilson JR – ‘søn of dad’
There were times that I struggled to find the words to describe the raw, beautiful craft that is the storytelling of southern Indiana’s Stephen Wilson Jr.; each of the 22 songs on his debut album ‘søᴎ of dad’ are truthful, reflective and a real necessary listen.
12. Larry Fleet – ‘Earned It’
Larry Fleet isn’t just a singer; he’s a thoughtful songwriter who can craft emotions into verses, and stories into choruses. His songwriting carries the weight of life experiences, resonating with those who’ve walked similar paths. With a remarkable ability to capture profound sentiments in a single line, Fleet’s lyrics have the power to touch souls and stir emotions and his voice is a force to be reckoned with – a powerhouse that ignites like a match.
11. Brothers Osborne – Self Titled
‘Brothers Osborne’ is unlike anything that this talented duo have ever recorded before. Sure, you can hear snippets of the past and see where the genealogy of these 11 songs come from but this is a bold and audacious project that bristles with joy, defiance and a celebratory machismo that runs through these songs like lettering through a stick of rock. In this phase of their career, the song comes first and the message next. It feels like we are listening to two musicians who have been let off the leash: freed of genre constraints and expectations they have crafted an uplifting and bombastic album that defies pigeonholing.
Well, that wraps up the 11 to 20 range. Keep your eyes right here for the publication of the top ten in 48 hours time!
