Issue 128
This week’s issue includes Sturgill Simpson, Lera Lynn, The Jayhawks, and an exclusive interview with Toronto emcee Orijin.
Heavy Rotation
What We're Listening To
When was the last time you heard a country star cover a Nirvana song? A Sailor’s Guide to Earth is not a traditional country record. It’s even unfair to call it an alt-country record. Sturgill Simpson is country music’s bravest explorer. Read more.
From the opening notes, it’s clear that Lera Lynn’s melancholic take on grunge-influenced singer-songwriter is different from the genre’s standard bearers. Resistor is a minimalist and bleak portrait of American dissatisfaction. Read more.
Orijin’s new album is a short, carefully crafted mixtape that shows off his growth as a rapper, songwriter, and emcee. Read more.
With their first record, Seratones have crafted a sound that is inspired by everything from classic rock and punk (clearly) to church choir-influenced vocal stylings — and to their credit, the unusual mix works. Read more.
Paging Mr. Proust is The Jayhawks’ ninth record, and proves that whether or not Mark Olson is a part of the group, they continue to be one of Americana’s most consistently excellent groups. Read more.