Americana Highways 45 RPM 2025 (Reasons to Purchase Music)
2024 was a fantastic year for music and a shit year for pretty much everything else (November 5 still stings). Music, as it so dependably does, helped explain how we were feeling during the darkest of days, and knowing that you’ll be going to a show that night can be the best reason to get out of bed in the morning. Our favorite artists need us out there buying records, tickets and merch in order to keep soundtracking our lives. With that in mind, here are my top 45 RPM (Reasons to Purchase Music) in 2024.
Top 10 Albums
10) Sarah Jarosz, Polaroid Lovers
The ace guitarist and mandolinist added to her stellar catalog with this collection of tightly crafted songs, including one of 2023’s best, the out-of-left-field rocker “Jealous Moon.” Polaroid Loves features big-name co writers (including Natalie Hemby and Ruston Kelly) and a studio full of gifted musicians whom Jarosz is more than happy to let shine. Seeing her live is always a treat, but as her always-good songwriting keeps hitting new levels, she’ll continue be a fixture on this list.
https://sarahjarosz.shop.redstarmerch.com/dept/music?cp=83923_84068
9) Lawrence Rothman, The Plow that Broke the Plains
The singer-songwriter-producer released their signature album this year. It’s a moving (and beautifully country) record detailing Rothman’s health and self-struggles, showing a person just starting to emerge as themself, with a brutally honest assessment of both Rothman and the country that’s – somehow – increasingly unready to accept them as-is.
https://stores.portmerch.com/lawrencerothman/
8) Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Revelations
They’ve always been a go-to live band for me (their shows at Denver’s hi-dive are an annual must), but bandleader/songwriter River Shook finally released the album I’ve been waiting for – capturing all the ferocity of their live cowpunk shows while honing their songwriting to a lethal point. Bigots, profiteers and plain ol’ creepy “Motherfuckers” beware – you don’t stand a chance when you come up against Shook’s extra-sharp pen.
https://www.disarmers.com/store/Music-&-Video-c23349544
7) Liv Greene, Deep Feeler
This perfectly autumnal record, Greene’s second, captures a young woman’s willingness to parse through her feelings and existence for the first time, including, the spare “Katie,” in which Grene finally allows her queer love “not to be a bad thing.” That vulnerability, along with plenty of fiddle, steel and vocal harmonies, places Deep Feeler as the best country record of the year.
https://livgreene.bandcamp.com/merch
6) Sierra Ferrell, Trail of Flowers
By diving into her deep well of influences (70s AM country, murder ballads and spirituals, among others), the already well-liked Ferrell leapfrogged several spots on the Americana visibility meter by making an album only she could make – introspective, empathetic, yearning and sexy. Sometimes, seemingly all at once.
https://rounder.com/collections/sierra-ferrell
5) Adrianne Lenker, Bright Future
The amazingly prolific Big Thief singer-songwriter released her most gorgeous, heartbreaking (and heartmending) solo record yet, soft spoken and recorded with just a few of her favorite musicians. Whether it’s the depth of despair she finds in “Evol” – “You have my heart I want it back” – or the quiet contentedness of “Free Treasure,” the range of emotions found on Bright Future is unlike anything else we heard this year.
https://store.bigthief.net/collections/music
4) Johnny Blue Skies, Passage Du Desir
John Sturgill Simpson promised us five – and only five – studio albums. So, when he found himself with more songs, he created this pseudonym. It’s fitting, as this new record, while very Sturgill-esque, is also something entirely different – at times soulful, jammy and Southern rock-ish. It’s both a proper debut record for a new artist and the logical evolution of a great one’s career.
https://shop.sturgillsimpson.com/?ffm=FFM_169f3809a98c9a4f68a9ff2253069458
3) Waxahatchee, Tigers Blood
Katie Crutchfield’s second straight album with producer Brad Cook follows 2020’s Saint Cloud, which was largely about the singer’s newfound sobriety. Tigers Blood, however, finds one of today’s best songwriters, even with a home, a partner and a (in 2024 terms) wildly successful indie rock career, asking, “Now what?” Fortunately, the questions are asked with the help of an incomparably talented band (featuring MJ Lenderman) and an artist willing to demand more of herself.
https://kf-merch.com/collections/waxahatchee?ffm=FFM_fa31502e400e20b86cd0dac41299d4e0&pf_pt_product_type=CD&pf_pt_product_type=Vinyl
2) MJ Lenderman, Manning Fireworks
Lenderman and Crutchfield seemed to be everywhere together in 2024 (see Top Live Show, Top Cover and Top 25 Songs – hint: it ain’t #25), so it’s fitting that they’re side-by-side here. Lenderman has been all over the indie and Americana scene in the past two years (both his work with Wednesday and his live album were 2023 best-ofs), but this record has shot him to the upper echelon of…whatever it is he does. His casual appearance and amiable demeanor have had the “slacker” label floating around his name, but great songs, killer riffs and a willingness to play with anyone show the hard work that’s gone into everything he does.
https://www.mjlenderman.com/merch?ffm=FFM_ad95c41244819431b705a1ea7f582f73
1) Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Past Is Still Alive
I wish this album didn’t have to be at the top of this. Not that it SHOULDN’T be – it’s been my favorite record of 2024 since it came out in February. But, given how our November began, Alynda Segarra’s travel diary of the “great American fall” tells us (beautifully, and tragically) all we need to know about the state of our country, while also somehow finding space for a young non-binary Puerto Rican kid to grow up and find their people. Those are the people who will – hopefully – take the reins of whatever animal America becomes next.
https://hurrayfortheriffraff.merchtable.com/music
Top 25 Songs
25) Futurebirds, “Colorados” https://futurebirdsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/easy-company
24) Madi Diaz, “Get to Know Me” https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/madi-diaz
23) Silverada, “Load Out” https://silverada.bigcartel.com/category/silverada-music
22) Gillian Welch & David Rawlings “Hashtag” https://store.aconyrecords.com/collections/woodland
21) Maggie Antone, “High Standards” https://maggieantone.com/collections/rhinestoned
20) Julien Baker & TORRES, “Sugar in the Tank” https://jbt.mat-r.co/sitt
19) Japandroids, “Upon Sober Reflection” https://antirecords.store/artist/629
18) Wonder Women of Country, “Fly Ya to Hawaii” –
https://wonderwomenofcountry.myshopify.com/
17) Caitlin Cannon, “Amarillo and Little Rock” https://caitlincannon.bandcamp.com/album/beggar
16) Dwight Yoakam, “Wide Open Heart” https://store.dwightyoakam.com/
15) Kevin Gordon, “Keeping My Brother Down” https://kevingordon.bandcamp.com/album/the-in-between
14) Liv Greene, “Flowers” https://livgreene.bandcamp.com/merch
13) Lawrence Rothman, “Doesn’t Work Like That” https://stores.portmerch.com/lawrencerothman/
12) Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, “You Don’t Get to Tell Me” https://www.disarmers.com/store/Music-&-Video-c23349544
11) Katie Pruitt, “White Lies, White Jesus and You” https://rounder.com/collections/katie-pruitt
10) Pearl Jam, “Wreckage” – Dark Matter featured some of the band’s heaviest music in, well, ever. But this track went more anthemic, with nods both thematic and sonic to one of Eddie Vedder’s favorite songwriters, Tom Petty. “If you’re feeling the leaving/I can’t make you stay” could, heartbreakingly, come from a newly discovered Wildflowers-era track.
https://shop.pearljam.com/collections/dark-matter
9) Lindi Ortega, “The Ghost” – From the Ether, Ortega’s first album in six years, was a macabre Halloween-timed treat, but this song stepped out of that conceit to do just what she does best – sad love songs. Lines like “I’m never more alone than when I’m with you” definitely leave a mark.
https://orcd.co/lortegaether
8) Aaron Lee Tasjan, “I Love America Better Than You” – Just because he’s one of the nicest guys in Nashville doesn’t mean his wit is any less sharp. This tune finds Tasjan hawk tuah-ing all over the kind of demonstrative patriotism found in the schlock that Lee Greenwood shoves down our throats. This song made me love America more than, well, most of the other shit that happened in 2024 did.
https://blueelan.com/collections/aaron-lee-tasjan
7) Johnny Blue Skies, “Jupiter’s Faerie” – I adore narratives with a gut punch, and this Sturgill Simpson tune drops a boat anchor onto your belly midway through, when we find the lost love that he’s been searching for died years back. On an album full of some of his best work, this is the one that won’t let go of your soul. https://shop.sturgillsimpson.com/
6) Avett Brothers, “Cheap Coffee” – Simply put, the boys from North Carolina wrote a song befitting their epic annual Red Rocks shows. Some music is just meant to be played on a hot summer night.
https://avett.store/collections/music
5) MJ Lenderman, “On My Knees” – Speaking of hot weather music, this one was my Song of the Summer (even if it wasn’t widely released until September). The riffiest track on a record full of riffs recalls the downfalls of road trips – “‘Cause I know goin’ on vacation brings the worst/Out of everyone” – amidst a haze of late-era Crazy Horse.
https://www.mjlenderman.com/merch
4) Adrianne Lenker, “Free Treasure” – When I saw Lenker’s show in Denver, she mainly played the “happier” tunes from Bright Future. Even though the record’s saddest songs are…DEVASTATING, warmer on-stage moments like this one, some of which featured Lenker’s partner, Staci Foster, remind us that our sad-song writers need happiness, too.
https://store.bigthief.net/collections/music
3) Sierra Ferrell, “American Dreaming” – “Wake up again in an old motel, is it somewhere different I can’t tell/Every set of curtains opens to the open road.” leads off Ferrell’s Trail of Flowers, and it’s one of my favorite images of the year. Her shows, and her footprint in Americana, are getting bigger, but those cheap motels will always be a part of her story.
https://rounder.com/collections/sierra-ferrell
2) Hurray for the Riff Raff, “Colossus of Roads” – This song is so damn beautiful, you can almost look past the pain lurking in its verses. References to Colorado’s Club Q shooting and the “othering” of good people to score cheap, reactionary political points are balanced by the love Alynda Segarra feels for the chosen few, living and dead, in their life – “You will live forever as this bombshell/In my mind.” They’re the best of our post-democracy America. https://hurrayfortheriffraff.merchtable.com/music
1) Waxahatchee feat. MJ Lenderman, “Right Back to It” – This was a wire-to-wire winner for me. Katie Crutchfield’s missive on the pitfalls, ennui, and, ultimately, safety and comfort found in a long-term relationship were the best four and a half minutes of 2024. Side note – when you factor in Wednesday’s “Chosen to Deserve,” MJ Lenderman has now been involved in the best songs of the past two years, both released in January. You’re officially on the clock, Jake.
https://kf-merch.com/collections/waxahatchee
Even More Reasons
Top Live Album – The National, Rome
In last year’s 45 RPM, I mentioned the dearth of proper albums in recent years (sites like Nugs and Veeps provide a constant stream of live shows and recordings). Of course, 2024 strove to prove me wrong, as Billy Strings, Jason Isbell and The War on Drugs all provided excellent live records. The best, though, came from The National and their first full-length concert release. Rome gives listeners the full audible range of the indie band’s emotive, frenetic live shows. And, since it was recorded in Europe, there’s no chatty, disengaged American crowd – the passion of the Italian audience bleeds through the vinyl into your ears.
https://shop.americanmary.com/
Top Live Show – Drive-By Truckers, Southern Rock Opera Revisited Tour, Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO, July 6
Live music put the pandemic fully in the rearview this year, and the quality (and quantity) of shows seemed to hit new heights. From hearing Jason Isbell play “King of Oklahoma” in Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom (twice!) in May, to witnessing Amanda Shires’ incendiary performance in Denver (opening for Isbell) just a few days prior, to the amazing ANTI- Records 25th Anniversary Showcase during AmericanaFest, where MJ Lenderman and Katie Crutchfield traded stellar guest spots and Madi Diaz somehow managed to eclipse them both, the highlights are borderline excessive. Somehow, though, in a year of bright news stars, the best night of live music was a band approaching their Social Security years playing a 23-year-old album and making it exciting, relevant and, most importantly, LOUD. The Truckers wrapped their set by slamming out Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” making the night, even one spent in one of Denver’s least preferable venues, an ear-splitting all-timer.
https://www.drivebytruckers.com/shows.html
Top Album from a Colorado-based band – A Place For Owls, how we dig in the earth
The Denver emo band (there’s room for all genres on the 45 RPM!) opened up for Wild Pink at Larimer Lounge in March, introducing me to a new band in my home state. A few months later, their second full-length album came out. It’s all-around gorgeous, but this Lost-obsessed band clinched it for me by titling a song “desmond hume.”
https://www.aplaceforowls.com/merch
Top Box Set/Reissue – Drive-By Truckers, Southern Rock Opera, Deluxe Edition
I probably listened to more DBT in 2024 than in any previous year, and this gorgeous reissue is a big reason why. From remastering and resequencing, to Patterson Hood’s engaging liner notes, to live cuts including some of Jason Isbell’s first days with the band, this updated set became my 2024 go-to record. Between this and a timely re-release of 2016’s American Band, the Truckers proved (again) not to be just the best rock band of the 21st century, but also its most relevant.
https://drivebytruckers.shop.musictoday.com/dept/southern-rock-opera-reissue?cp=407_115135
Top Promotional Event – Ceres, Magic Mountain (1996-2022)
Australian emo band Ceres premiered their new album for its most dedicated fans in the building it was recorded (The Black Lodge Recording Studio), with frontman Tom Lanyon guiding listeners (with visual aids!) through the songs. That’s pretty cool. But the BEST part is that the session was videoed and uploaded to the band’s YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM43uZoUYwA). Viewers can say how this highly emotional record resonates with the listeners present. It’s not something I’ve seen done before. I’d like to see it happen more often. (The album’s pretty damn good, too).
https://ceresband.bandcamp.com/album/magic-mountain-1996-2022
Top EP – Wonder Women of Country, Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh
Three stars and wonderfully talented writers and performers in their own right, Kelly Willis, Melissa Carper and Brennen Leigh finally made their years-old partnership official in 2024, releasing their first EP (featuring five originals plus an always-welcome John Prine cover). With stand-out tunes including Leigh’s “Fly Ya to Hawaii” and Willis’ “Another Broken Heart,” it’s a classic country charmer from note one.
https://wonderwomenofcountry.myshopify.com/
Top Cover – Waxahatchee feat. MJ Lenderman, “Abandoned”
I usually like to include music that’s widely accessible on this list, but in the year of Katie Crutchfield and MJ Lenderman, I’m gonna have to cheat a little bit, because their cover of this Lucinda Williams tune, available only on Waxahatchee’s Apple Music Nashville Sessions, is far better than any of us deserve.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/apple-music-nashville-sessions/1781629860
Top Holiday Surprise – Neil Young, “Fireplace”
This is…exactly what it sounds like – a cozy fireplace video, featuring Neil Young originals and tracks taken from Ben Keith’s “Christmas at the Ranch,” a collection that featured Young and Johnny Cash, among others. It’s one of those nifty little gifts you never expect, but are always happy to receive.
As always, thank you to the artists and musicians we cover each week, the publicists who work so hard to get their music into our ears, Melissa for chasing down all of that music, and the other fine writers at Americana Highways. Thanks, too, to everyone (performers, bookers, club employees, bartenders, sound techs and roadies) whose entire jobs center on allowing us to enjoy live music. In 2025, which promises to be…something, we’ll need y’all more than ever. #listenbetter
Enjoy our Spotify Playlist of 2024’s 45 Reasons to Purchase Music!
Americana Highways 45 RPM 2024 (Reasons to Purchase Music)
