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Americana Music Blog

America has been serving up slices of Americana since the mid-19th-century. The genre is an all-encompassing term for a variety of music styles that found their roots in America, including blues, bluegrass, country, and roots-rock. More often than not, Americana is a fusion of one or more forms of roots music, and it is commonly synonymous with folk-based country and singer-songwriter music.

Some of the most iconic Americana artists include Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earl. Steve Earl remains popular to this day; his 2021 album, J.T., was listed as one of the best Americana albums of the year. Other artists that featured alongside Earl on the albums of the year list included Brandi Carlile, John Hiatt, Jack Ingram and Strand of Oaks.

Prior to 2010, Americana was considered a niche genre, yet in a transition that no one anticipated, Americana moved into the mainstream. The artists responsible for pulling the genre into the limelight included The Lumineers, the Avett Brothers, and of course, Mumford & Sons. Despite being a British band, Mumford & Sons became one of the best-selling Americana artists in recent years. They made history when they became the first British band since Coldplay to make it big in the US and sell more than a million albums. Yet, Mumford & Sons held their hands up to admit that without The Lumineers, their success wouldn’t have been possible.

In the late 90s, the Americana Music Association was established in Nashville; and they still have their finger on the pulse to this day. In 2021, they named Black Pumas as the group of the year, Brandi Carlile as the artist of the year and Charley Crockett as the emerging artist of the year. It’s not surprising to see Black Pumas named as one of the Americana artists of the year; the Austin-based act has amassed over 100 million streams with their most popular soul psych song, Colors. They also picked up three Grammy nominations in 2020.

Americana received another uptick in interest with the release of the blockbuster film, A Star is Born, which followed a roots music raconteur (Bradley Cooper) on his quest for fame. Bradley Cooper’s character may have been fictional, but plenty of Americana history and culture was poured into the critically acclaimed film that became an overnight sensation; both Lukas Nelson and Brandi Carlile appeared in the film. It seems that as long as there are artists committed to planting roots of Americana into their music, it will never go out of trend.

Saint Senara’s ‘Lost Lisa Marie’: Where Sothern Gothic Folk Blues and Ghosts Collide

Saint Senara

Saint Senara’s latest single, Lost Lisa Marie, demonstrates the award-winning singer-songwriter duo’s unrelenting commitment to crafting southern gothic folk with depth and distinction. Since their 2020 inception, their evolution has led to a sound that combines blues rock’s raw intensity, folk’s piercingly poetic imagery, and the atmospheric richness of Americana.

The haunting arrangement in Lost Lisa Marie invites listeners into a vivid sonic panorama. Blues rock guitars, distorted crescendos, and angular riffs collide to create an audibly tactile experience. As the powerhouse chanteuse’s vocals re-emerge over the brash blues-rock climax, her delivery cuts through the chaos with grace, grounding the intensity in rich, emotive clarity.

Far removed from the pitfalls of pastiche, Saint Senara imbue their sound with authenticity and power, allowing Lost Lisa Marie to unfold like a narrative in motion, leaving space for reflection as much as visceral connection.

For fans of blues-soaked Americana and raw poetic intensity, this is a track that will leave your pulse racing out of rhythm and your finger hovering over the replay button. Off the back of their successful headline shows in 2024, Lost Lisa Marie is both a standalone triumph and a stepping stone towards what promises to be an uncompromising future.

Lost Lisa Marie will be available to stream on all platforms from January 31st. Find your preferred way to listen via the band’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Young Talent with Big Potential: Ruby Jean’s ‘One Step at a Time’

With her sophomore release, One Step at a Time, 11-year-old Ruby Jean from Kincardine, Ontario exhibited how she’s building the foundation for a career that could see her standing alongside the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift if she continues to hone her craft with the same determination and tenacity.

The Americana-tinged pop earworm single is effortless to sink into and lose yourself within, offering a warm embrace of chords and harmonies that sweep you up in their sincerity. What makes this track truly impressive isn’t just the composition but the maturity Ruby Jean infuses into her lyrics and vocal delivery. It’s hard to fathom how an artist of her age managed to conjure such an emotionally rich sound, but she’s clearly a natural when it comes to pairing heartfelt narratives with impossible-to-forget melodies.

Ruby Jean, who wrote both the lyrics and music for One Step at a Time, shows a passion for singing, songwriting, piano, and guitar that belies her youth. Her talent for storytelling and her ability to make listeners feel every note set her apart from her peers, marking her as an artist to watch closely.

One Step at a Time is not only a testament to her potential but also a reminder of how far raw talent, passion, and authenticity can take an artist, no matter their age.

One Step at a Time was officially released on January 16; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Romanticism blossoms in Devin Kyle Leslie’s alt-country folk outpour of affection, Beautiful Rose

Devin Kyle Leslie’s standout single, Beautiful Rose, reimagines classic folk songwriting through an orchestral lens, creating a soulful and tender ode to unflinching affection. With a vocal presence that carries the weight of profound sincerity, Leslie’s performance is cradled by ethereal reverberations, adding swathes of soul to the Americana-tinged alt-country composition.

The track flows with mellifluous organic progressions that echo the artistry of legends like Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell, while still carving its own intimate niche. Romanticism flourishes in the alt-country vignette, where every note and lyric feels imbued with Leslie’s deep emotional investment. The orchestral swells underpinning the folk melodies elevate the song beyond its roots as Leslie’s sharp social commentary adds another emotive dynamic to the bitter-sweet instant classic ballad.

Leslie’s ability to marry classic influences with a fresh vision proves his artistry isn’t confined to tradition, resulting in a track that resonates with timeless warmth while showcasing the potential for reinvention within folk music.

Beautiful Rose is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Isiah & the New People became the defining voice in modern folk with ‘Did You Run?’

‘Did You Run?’ by Isiah & The New People opens with Isiah’s natural finesse as a rhythmatist, his skill on the fretboard drawing you in before the Western psych melodies begin to swell and pirouette with the kind of synergy that only comes from a collective with a shared artistic pulse. The union between the instrumental energy and vocal emotion is undeniable; it’s a back-and-forth exchange that feels both intimate and uncontainable.

With some of the most affecting vocals heard from Isiah & The New People so far, the trembled timbres of vibrato are flawlessly pitched, amplifying the bittersweet poignancy of the questioning narrative. The affection that drives every progression offers a moving undercurrent, even amidst the uncertainty that saturates the vignette.

Following the success of their debut EP Boxes, which set a strong tone for 2024, Isiah & The New People have gone from strength to herculean strength. ‘Did You Run?’ is another clear step in their rise, demonstrating their ability to merge heartfelt storytelling with immeasurably talented artistry.

As we tentatively step into 2025, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Isiah & The New People are gearing up to be one of the most promising breakthrough acts of the year.

Did You Run hit the airwaves on December 28th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jeremy Hilliard – Deep Blue Me: A Soulful Submersion into the Reverie of Yearning

Jeremy Hilliard’s standout single, ‘Deep Blue Me’, from his sophomore solo album, Going Back to Where It All Began, carries the weight of a wistful sigh and the warmth of a late autumn sunbeam. Rooted in classic folk songwriting but with a dreamy indie twist, the single doesn’t rely on the laurels of tradition. Instead, it threads introspection through a needle of authenticity, crafting an intimate reverie that gently peels back the layers of the soul.

A songwriter hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Hilliard is best known as the creative force behind PEAK, a rising jam band lighting up stages across the northeastern United States. With more songs than his band could possibly use, Hilliard began releasing collections of home demos before debuting his first solo album, Trouble For Another Day, in 2023. His follow-up, written and recorded at home, sees him joined by collaborators Brendan Hefty (drums), Marshall Norton (keys), Bethany Hilliard (vox), and Josh T. Carter (bass).

In ‘Deep Blue Me,’ the intricate guitar work flows and flourishes, accentuating the lyrical themes of all-consuming passion. Hilliard’s soft yet purposeful vocal delivery melds with the ethereal instrumentation, creating a poetically meta ode to the way desire can consume and transform. With its lush, introspective atmosphere, the track is one you’ll want to revisit each time life feels heavy.

The Going Back to Where It All Began LP is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Fabio Salce’s ‘Summer rain’ is an acoustic Americana downpour of pure serotonin

Fabio Salce’s single Summer Rain, taken from his recently released 3-track single, Extended Play, delivers a sun-soaked slice of Americana that transcends the winter gloom. With twangy, upbeat acoustic guitar chords forming the heart of the track, Salce’s gruffed and euphonious vocals pour unfiltered emotion into every note. It’s a song that doesn’t demand perfection—it thrives on its deeply human and unapologetically real rawness,

The Brazilian-born singer-songwriter’s journey from teenage South American multi-instrumentalist to seasoned UK-based artist brings a wealth of authenticity to his sound. Having shared stages with Brazilian icons like Tom Zé during his Acidogroove days, earned a Dinamite Music Award, and performed at legendary venues such as the Barrowland Ballroom, Salce has carved out an eclectic and impressive résumé. Yet, with Summer Rain, it’s not about accolades; it’s about recapturing the cathartic simplicity of music.

The single’s infectious energy evokes comparisons to the effervescent hooks of Primal Scream and the breezy melodies of Deep Blue Something. Yet, Salce’s songwriting cuts deeper, transforming everyday moments into universal anthems of love and resilience. Despite a hiatus driven by personal crises, Fabio’s 2024 return to music feels like a homecoming, his acoustic storytelling steeped in years of lived experience.

As an antidote to festive-season fatigue, Summer Rain offers a glowing reminder of music’s ability to conjure light from the darkest corners. It’s proof that sometimes the rawest emotions resonate the most.

Stream Summer rain on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Detroit Trouble put the pedal to the speaker-pummelling metal in their hard rock hit, Hot in the D

Few hard rock outfits can pummel your speakers as viscerally as Motörhead, but Detroit Trouble has proved their juggernautical punches are just as blistering in their high-octane anthem, Hot in the D. Short of mainlining adrenaline, there are few other ways to get yourself so psyched. The momentum is unrelenting, and the infectious energy threaded through every progression ensures this rip-roaring ride transcends your favourite hard rock records from across the epochs with its polished rallying furore. .

Formed in 2015 by Kidd Lightning, Detroit Trouble are a trio who channel the grit of their blue-collar roots into every thunderous note. With Kirk “The Captain” Richter on bass and William “Wild Bill” Whats on drums, the band blends the emotional weight of blues greats like John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf with the searing edge of rock kings such as Van Halen.

On Hot in the D, their blues-rock roots shine through in the occasional melodic turns, but the pedal never lifts from the metal. With Kidd Lightning’s pornographic guitar solos and vocals that burn with raw fervour, the electricity is undeniable. If this track doesn’t spark something deep in your soul, you might want to check you’ve still got a pulse.

Detroit Trouble doesn’t just play for their fans; they embody them. The trio lives and breathes the working-class spirit, delivering music for Detroit and beyond that pulses with the heart of everyday grit.

Hot in the D is now available to stream across all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chloe Leonard became Nashville’s queen of indie pop catharsis with her debut single, White Noise

Eschewing the timid hallmarks of many first releases, the Nashville-based indie singer-songwriter Chloe Leonard established herself as a vocal powerhouse with songwriting chops to match in her debut single, White Noise. The track is a carefully stylised, panoramic production that invites you to lose yourself in its tides of emotional resonance, while Leonard’s magnetic presence pulls you back to shore.

Raised in Northern California with a soundtrack of John Mayer, Norah Jones, and Fleetwood Mac, Leonard’s formative years were spent journaling lyrics, performing in musicals, and teaching herself piano—her first tune being Coldplay’s Clocks. Now rooted in Nashville, her sound mirrors her dual identity: expansive and evocative, with echoes of Keane’s melancholic sting, but retaining a quintessential country twang that adds depth to her weightless catharsis.

Collaborating with AMA-winning vocal coach Moe Loughran, Leonard has refined her raw vulnerability into relatable, lyrical storytelling. Her voice soars effortlessly over the warm instrumental layers, carrying both the authenticity of Kacey Musgraves and the ethereal magnetism of Maggie Rogers. The track’s poetic reflections touch on navigating mental health, finding balance, and embracing love amidst life’s noise—a theme that feels refreshingly grounded.

As she embarks on a year of new releases, Leonard’s honesty and elegance are sure to implant her in the Nashville hall of singer-songwriter fame before long.

White Noise was officially released on November 1st; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take a detour to ‘the suburbs of jersey’ with Natalee Gallo’s latest indie vignette of vulnerability

Natalee Gallo’s latest release, The Suburbs of Jersey, weaves a delicate yet unyielding balance between introspection and melodic sophistication. With her sophomore single, the Pittsburgh-based indie singer-songwriter invites listeners into the emotional architecture of her experiences, building bridges between past uncertainty and present clarity through her Americana-tinged indie pop.

A master of subtle dynamism, Gallo’s layered approach to songwriting breathes life into her narratives. The slide guitar’s soft curiosity melds seamlessly with the driving acoustic backbone, creating a soundscape that pulses with restrained intensity. The production evolves in waves, mirroring the emotional intricacies of its subject matter: the insecurities that stem from navigating perception and expectation at the genesis of a relationship.

Born from a journal entry penned in 2018, the track feels as confessional as it does cinematic. Gallo’s tender yet resolute vocal delivery conveys the vulnerability of her lyrics with an evocative timbre that paints panoramic emotional vistas. Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what follows from the organically absorbing artist who can stir the coldest souls into feeling whole.

the suburbs of jersey is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Folk Rock Introspection: WLDFLWRS Celebrate the Comfort of Isolation with their Debut, BEST COMPANY

WLDFLWRS’ Americana-inspired debut single ‘BEST COMPANY’ holds a quiet candle to the sanctuary of introversion. The Warwickshire folk rock ensemble crafted a panorama of gentle acknowledgement of how loneliness can sometimes feel like the safest shelter. There’s no forced buoyancy in these southern rock-rooted chords; instead, the guitars and percussion carry a patient hush that intricately resounds everything that needs to be said.

Hints of honkytonk traditions keep the track grounded, while an expressive balance between Bob Dylan’s gravitas and the glimmering cool of The Stones offers a familiar frame. Yet WLDFLWRS colour it with their own hue of raw truth, their vocals authentically aching as they pull listeners into the quiet corners of their world. The resulting sound is a dioramic blend of vintage rock tones that refuses to pander or wilt.

The band’s knack for honest arrangement and subtle swagger allows each note to fall perfectly into place, forming a soundscape which extends connection without stomping on the boundaries between personal reflection and universal resonance.

The official music video for BEST COMPANY premiered on December 6th; stream the video on YouTube now.

Follow WLDFLWRS on Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest releases and tour news.

Review by Amelia Vandergast