Still feeling the buzz from XPNFest? Same. This week’s newly released albums will keep that energy going into October. Cosmic bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings’ Highway Prayers is a road-ready collection that credits Strings on “vocals, banjo, bass, steel guitar, and 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle,” for good measure. On Nite Owls, his first full-length release since the modern holiday classic Socks, JD McPherson leads his new band through a set of nocturnal rave-ups. Following a cross-country move, Virginia-born Kate Bollinger returned to the east coast to record her debut album, Songs from a Thousand Frames of Mind, with producer Sam Evian at his Catskills studio. White Roses, My God is a bold and cathartic solo LP from former Low member Alan Sparhawk; it’s a reflection on the 2022 death of his partner/bandmate Mimi Parker.
Working again with Phoebe Bridgers, California songwriter Christian Lee Hutson paints a rustic portrait of his Indiana hometown on Paradise Pop. 10. Merce Lemon’s Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild is an intricate and lyrical offering from the Pittsburgh-based singer. Revelation is the first LP in five years from Leif Vollebekk; the Canadian composer augments his folky dream-pop with orchestral flourishes. The next step in an ongoing evolution, the artist formerly known as Christine and the Queens re-establishes himself as Rahim Redcar on his fifth album, Hopecore.
Listen for spotlights on new records like these (and more) every week on the XPN Morning Show and Indie Rock Hit Parade.
PRESS PLAY on these new releases
Billy Strings – Highway Prayers
CHECK OUT: “Leadfoot” “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You”
JD McPherson – Nite Owls
CHECK OUT: “Sunshine Getaway” “Shining Like Gold”
Kate Bollinger – Songs from a Thousand Frames of Mind
CHECK OUT: “Any Day Now” “To Your Own Devices”
Alan Sparhawk – White Roses, My God
CHECK OUT: “Can U Hear” “Get Still”
Christian Lee Hutson – Paradise Pop. 10
CHECK OUT: “After Hours” “Beauty School”
Merce Lemon – Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild
CHECK OUT: “Backyard Lover” “Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild”
Leif Vollebekk – Revelation
CHECK OUT: “Moondog” “Peace of Mind (Evening)”
Rahim Redcar – Hopecore
CHECK OUT: “Deep Holes” “Elevate”