Who doesn’t like a good road trip? Picture this: you’re driving down the road and the mood of the car changes from conversational to chill. It’s the perfect time to play some music and luckily for us, many artists have had time to make new music in the past year. Stevie G. reviews five recent Indie albums for your next road trip.
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5 Indie Albums for the Road Trip
Who doesn’t like a good road trip?
I definitely do – especially here in the United States where there is so much to see. There’s a feeling of freedom that reverberates through your bones when you hit the highway with a journey in front of you.
Picture this: you’re driving down the road and the mood of the car changes from conversational to chill. It’s the perfect time to play some music and luckily for us, many artists have had time to make new music in the past year. Or you can check it out via my podcast episode here:
Here are five recent Indie albums for your next road trip:
25 Trips by Sierra Hull
Release Date: February 28th, 2020
Who is Sierra Hull? Sierra was born in Tennessee and started playing mandolin at 8 years old. At age 11, Allison Kraus took Sierra under her wing. Hull has since continued a successful musical career.
About the Album: 25 Trips is Sierra’s first album since 2016. It’s Sierra’s most sonically wide-ranging album, highlighted by calming and thoughtful moments of mandolin.
What do The Reviewers Say? The album was given 4/5 stars by American Songwriter
Stevie’s Two Favorite Songs: How Long, The Last Minute
This Album is Perfect For: A drive that takes you through rolling hills, stoic mountains, winding rivers or wide-open spaces.
Good Woman by The Staves
Release Date: February 5th, 2021
Who are the Staves? Emily, Jessica and Camilla are three sisters from Watford, England. They grew up in a household that loved music, and it shows in their tasteful 3-part harmonies.
About the Album: Good Woman is the Staves’ third studio album. The Staves curiosity shows itself in this album, their most experimental and edgy sound to date. Clever and effortless vocals can be found throughout Good Woman.
What do The Reviewers Say? Gigwise gives the album 8/10 stars
Stevie’s Two Favorite Songs: Best Friend, Sparks
This Album is Perfect For: A drive on a rainy day.
Trail Songs (Dawn) by Cory Wong
Release Date: August 7th, 2020
Who is Cory Wong? Cory is an accomplished guitarist out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
About the Album: While Cory’s sound tends to live more in the Funk, R&B and Soul genres, Trails Songs certainly went in a more folksy direction. Tasteful guitar work is met by moments of mandolin, violin and other stringed instruments along the way.
Stevie’s Two Favorite Songs: Bluebird featuring Chris Thile and Western Winds featuring Sierra Hull
This Album is Perfect For: A drive that calls for an early start.
World on the Ground by Sarah Jarosz
Release Date: June 5th, 2020
Who is Sarah Jarosz? Sarah grew up in Wimberly, Texas. The folk/bluegrass singer is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, mandolin and banjo. Sarah is also a 3-time GRAMMY winner.
About the Album: World on the Ground is Sarah’s fifth studio album. It features Sarah’s classic folksy sound, but it’s met with a fresh perspective. Sarah named the album to reflect the vantage point of the bird highlighted in her second track “Pay it no mind”. World on the Ground is a very calming, peaceful and relaxing listen.
What do The Reviewers Say? American Songwriter scores the album 4/5 and Folk Radio says the songs on World on the Ground “have thoughtful details and they overflow with drama, emotion and heart”.
Stevie’s Two Favorite Songs: Pay It No Mind, Maggie
This Album is Perfect For: A drive takes you into the evening.
Welcome to Hard Times by Charley Crockett
Release Date: Welcome to Hard Times dropped on July 31st, 2020 on the Son of Davy Label. Charley continues to build momentum with this album, his latest in a very unique career.
Who is Charley Crockett? Yes, he is a distant relative to Davy Crockett. Charley grew up in San Benito, Texas. He decided to go on a musical journey that would take him all over the world, busking as far away as Paris before his career really took off. Charley has a signature and timeless sound that reflect his upbringing in Texas and Louisiana.
About the Album: Charley sticks to that signature sound of his, but he adds more production to make the album sound slightly more polished than his previous works. The country crooner takes us through 13 tracks on an overall somber yet brilliant project.
What do The Reviewers Say? The Wall Street Journal describes Welcome to Hard Times as a “Rogue Spirit’s Tales of Trouble” while AllMusic gives the album a solid 4/5 stars.
Stevie’s Two Favorite Songs: Welcome to Hard Times, Lily My Dear
This Album is Perfect For: A road trip that takes you anywhere near Texas.