Sturgill Simpson: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth review – heartfelt and homesick

Since the days of the wayfaring bards, the touring life has largely been coded male. But not all itinerants enjoy artificial irresponsibility. Breakout country star Sturgill Simpson’s third album is not all about the conflicts of a male life in … Continue reading →

Sturgill Simpson: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth review – hard-hitting country soul

Related: Sturgill Simpson: country music’s young outlaw shifts shape again Sturgill Simpson has found a novel way to rebut all the claims that he is the future of Nashville. His third album takes a sharp turn away from the questing, … Continue reading →

Jason Isbell review – subtle moments shine through for American country’s next big star

Flitting between sweet solo numbers and full-band blow-outs, Isbell occasionally proves more Bryan than Ryan – to mixed effect

Cale Tyson: Careless Soul review – Texan cowboy’s soulful follow-up

Soul in a Stetson from Cale Tyson

Various Artists: Wayfaring Strangers: Cosmic American Music review – beautiful country rock from the fringes

This terrific collection of country-rock obscurities shows another side to the sound that dominated 1970s American rock

Eric Church: Mr Misunderstood review – driving rock with added swagger

Country star Church continues to mix blue-collar homage with tinges of soul

Shooter Jennings: Countach (For Giorgio) review – keeping it weird with a Moroder tribute

The country music outlaw goes bizarrely off-piste once more with a potent, muscular celebration of the Italian electronic pioneer

Loretta Lynn: Full Circle review – a fine set of new songs and old favourites

At 83, Loretta Lynn really does come full circle (with a little help from Willie Nelson)

Loretta Lynn: Full Circle review – still a force to be reckoned with

The female fury that shook up 1960s Nashville still packs a punch mixing nostalgia with new tunes

Carrie Rodriguez: Lola review – Tex-Mex with a classy modern twist

The Texan singer-songwriter goes back to her bilingual roots

Marlon Williams: Marlon Williams review – unconventional country rock

The New Zealand singer mixes Jeff Buckley influences with early rock’n’roll to bring a weathered quality to his solo debut

Lissie: My Wild West review – heartfelt songs of pain, solidarity and rural retreat

Lissie’s third album mixes a west-coast pop sheen with countrified delicacy, and painfully honest tales of insecurity

Jason Isbell review – arena-ready country with plenty of heart

The Alabama songwriter praised by Springsteen proves he’s ready to take his soulful tunes to the big leagues

Buddy Miller & Friends: Cayamo Sessions at Sea review – country cruising

These Caribbean cruise recordings are a fine showcase of the best voices country music has to offer

Lucinda Williams: The Ghosts of Highway 20 review – pained and powerful Americana

The pioneer of Americana returns with another highly impressive, intimate album