1) The music of Jason Isbell / From his latest solo acoustic joint, “Foxes in the Snow,” to previous 400 Unit records, Isbell’s songwriting has played the anchor in a moment of personal upheaval.
2) Sasami, “Blood on the Silver Screen” / Singer-songwriter Sasami’s latest is a wondrous pop marriage of songcraft, vibes and texture.
3) Ruston Kelly, “Dirt Emo Vol. 2” / Close observers of this little spot know Kelly’s songs so often deliver for me, narratively and emotionally. Here, on his second EP pointed toward formative influences, his covers of American Hi-Fi, Avril Lavigne and Goo Goo Dolls do as well.
4) Gary Louris, “Dark Country” / The Jayhawks stalwart offers up a genuinely sensitive solo document with many in-plain-sight secrets to enjoy.
5) Twin Shadow, “Georgie” / At a moment when I’m (once again) bingeing the Twin Shadow classic “To the Top,” George Lewis releases a spare but soulful album that once again illuminates his melodic brilliance.