Click on each cover pic to watch a video, hear an audio cut, or order.
Alabama Shakes
“Another Life”
After ten years, the band is back with a new single. During their hiatus, all the members have continued to play and grow, and it shows. This single does evoke some of the rock guitar grit of their much-lauded debut album Boys & Girls (especially as it builds toward the end), along with some more sophisticated neo-soul and ’60s rock influences. Brittany Howard’s vocals especially sound stronger and more melodic, a bit more polished. Like some of her recent solo work, this song is more layered, more stylish, more grown-up—but still every bit real and soulful.
Blackberry Smoke
Rattle, Rumble & Roll: The Best of Blackberry Smoke, Volume One
Blackberry Smoke celebrates their 25th anniversary with a new tour and a collection of twenty fan favorites plus two new unheard tracks. Charlie Starr describes it as “a collection of material that has been the heartbeat of our journey…From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for riding along with us all these years. We couldn’t have done a single mile without you. Here’s to the past, the present, and the road ahead.” Pre-order at the link in the pic. The album ships November 14.
Jean Caffeine
“I Know You Know I Know”
Austin-based Jean Caffeine is touring right now to support her latest album, Generation Jean. She says, “I’m the most famous person you’ve never heard of. Back in the day I made a zine and made the scene and drummed for several all-female punk and post punk bands. One of them, Pulsallama, opened shows for The Clash and was sampled by hip hop artist Danny Brown. While I have punk and alt country history, my current music is (sub) genre fluid, from Americana to pop punk to retro pop to (indie) rock. “I Know You Know I Know” sounds like the female love child of The Cars and the Everly Brothers with a little Prince thrown in.”
Libby Koch & Michael O’Connor
Gulf Coast Duets
At the recent Texas Women Songwriters Festival, Libby Koch wowed audiences with cuts from this album she wrote and performed with Michael O’Connor. “A series of stories and songs shaped by the singular characters and salty culture of their Texas Gulf Coast hometowns and haunts. Eight original songs are joined by tributes to local legends Guy Clark (“Boats to Build”) and Nanci Griffith (“Gulf Coast Highway”). The album art features a painting by renowned Rockport artist Steven Russell.” –Bandcamp
McKenna Michels
“Monster”
This video from the Austin-based singer/songwriter’s forthcoming EP Revolution adds a level of haunting moodiness with its setting: “The Age of Witchcrafts: circa 1793.” The video and opening monologue may be a bit indulgent (the music pauses for an epic dark-fantasy swordfight), but stick around for Michels’ signature soulful groove, driving beat, and catchy pop hook that continue to enthrall critics, fans, and Sonic Guild patrons. “There’s a monster there inside you that is begging to be free, I know what it wants, ’cause it’s been calling out to me…”
Supersuckers
Liquor, Women, Drugs & Killing
The scorching first single, “Maybe I’m Just Messin’ With You,” reflects exactly the hard rock/punk/country gonzo music that’s thrilled their diehard base for nearly four decades. AllMusic.com perfectly describes the band as “the bastard sons of Foghat, AC/DC, and ZZ Top after being weaned on punk rock, unafraid of massive guitar riffs, outsized personalities, or pledging allegiance to sex, weed, and Satan with a wink and a nudge.” On Jesse Dayton’s Hardcharger Records.