Taylor Swift: I Knew It, I Knew You review – giddy up! Song for Toy Story cowgirl Jessie is Swift’s best in years

Full of handcrafted care and the rootsy soul of her country origins, this gently elated song is a reminder of what fans love about Swift … and the film series

Kacey Musgraves: Middle of Nowhere review – weary, rootsy and wry, it’s her richest album since Golden Hour

After two underwhelming pop-leaning records, the country star gets back to basics on this sparsely produced gem filled with wit and hard-won lessons

Emmylou Harris review – spine-tingling goodbye from 78-year-old country legend

The lived-in dustiness of her voice only enriches her storytelling, with her greatest songs now more devastating than ever

Kieran Hebden and William Tyler: 41 Longfield Street Late ’80s review – Four Tet fries his formative country influences

Lyle Lovett meets brain-scouring distortion on the electronic musician’s surprisingly un-nostalgic collaboration with former Lambchop guitarist Tyler

Cass McCombs: Interior Live Oak review – double album doubles the pleasures of one of indie-rock’s finest

With existential lullabies and ritualistic stomps, tear-jerking odes and ballads worthy of Sinatra, US indie’s steadfast storyteller makes a wonderfully unhurried double album his best yet

Kesha: . (Period) review – a smart, funny return to her hedonistic hot-mess persona

After a long legal battle, the pop star’s sixth album harks back to her 2010s era, with a buffet of pop styles and only rare hints of her highly-publicised trauma

Morgan Wallen review – country’s biggest star sings of whiskey, heartbreak … and more whiskey

Playing a rare intimate show as new album I’m the Problem tops the charts, the laid-back American singer is hardly groundbreaking – but there are funny, moving moments

Beyoncé review – ever-evolving star kicks off electrifying Cowboy Carter tour

The singer delivers a rousing, seven-act spectacle as she performs many of her country songs on stage for the first time while also harking back to her previous dance-leaning era

Julien Baker & Torres: Send a Prayer My Way review – queer country steps out of a classic framework

The Boygenius star and singer-songwriter Torres find the perfect vehicle for their pained and defiant storytelling

Julien Baker and Torres: Send a Prayer My Way review – an intimate, queer reclamation of country music

The two deep south songwriters ditch country’s rhinestones for a personal, defiant reframing of the genre’s tropes

Shaboozey review – viral country superstar finds comfort in intimacy

From scorned lovers to campfire heartbreak and outlaw vengeance, the charmingly tipsy singer takes the crowd on a JD swigging journey through the Old West

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy: The Purple Bird review – Will Oldham goes country, but darkly

Recorded in Nashville, the American outlier’s latest is concerned with the state of the nation and more, though there’s mischief in there too

Beyoncé NFL half-time show review – country ho-ho-ho-down is playful and infectious

Show livestreamed on Netflix is first live performance of material from country-themed album Cowboy Carter

Chris Stapleton review – bringing southern comfort to the Manchester drizzle

An unexpected army of cowboys are treated to the country superstar’s remarkable range and expertly crafted songs, which make up in soul what he lacks in showmanship

Jelly Roll: Beautifully Broken review – country’s newest superstar grapples with fame and addiction

As the gravel-voiced singer achieves mainstream success, his music is moving further from his back-country roots – but the grit in his lyrics lifts it above standard pop fare