The AllMusic 2023

Year
In
Review

Elements of soul, country, and international music all found their way into the mix on folk and Americana albums in 2023. From collaborative outfits like Complete Mountain Almanac, Nickel Creek (pictured), and The Handsome Family, via duos like The Milk Carton Kids and The War and Treaty, to more solitary offerings from Buck Meek, Joy Oladokun, and Peter One, there was much to enjoy about folk and Americana music in 2023.

If It All Goes South

Amy Ray

If It All Goes South

Ray's Southern reckoning continues on this beautifully written, earthy set that celebrates compassion and hope.

In the Air

Anna St. Louis

In the Air

The second album from this country-folk singer significantly ups the arrangement complexity and production values while keeping the songwriting as the central focus.

Shadow Kingdom

Bob Dylan

Shadow Kingdom

Dylan revisits several early tunes in a fashion reminiscent of the roadhouse saloon records he's made in the 21st century.

Haunted Mountain

Buck Meek

Haunted Mountain

The Big Thief guitarist's third LP is again highlighted by poetic lyrics, charming melodies, an A-plus live-in-studio band, and disarming sincerity.

Complete Mountain Almanac

Complete Mountain Almanac

Complete Mountain Almanac

A pastoral folk song cycle from this collaboration between Sweden's Rebekka Karijord and the American Dessner siblings.

The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored

Hayden Pedigo

The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored

The eccentric Texas guitarist offers an album of tension and melodic elegance.

Workin' on a World

Iris DeMent

Workin' on a World

The acclaimed songwriter returns with a poignant and graceful album addressing the issues of the day.

Joy'all

Jenny Lewis

Joy'all

Jenny Lewis consciously chooses joy on this warm, country-tinged evocation of 1970s radio.

Proof of Life

Joy Oladokun

Proof of Life

The Arizona-born singer/songwriter continues to expand her sonic and emotional palette on her fourth album.

Star Eaters Delight

Lael Neale

Star Eaters Delight

Experimental songwriter builds on the lo-fi dreaminess of her last album, taking each of these eight songs in slightly different directions.

False Lankum

Lankum

False Lankum

A nihilistic and almost comically bleak trek into the dark heart of folk music.

Live at Levon's!

Larry Campbell / Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams / Teresa Williams

Live at Levon's!

Recorded in 2019, this electrifying set finds the married roots duo delivering favorites, covers, and unissued songs to an adoring audience.

Just Like a Rose: The Anniversary Sessions

Laura Cantrell

Just Like a Rose: The Anniversary Sessions

Nine years after her last LP in 2014, the great Americana songbird picks up where she left off with a casually wonderful set of songs.

All of This Is Chance

Lisa O'Neill

All of This Is Chance

The distinctive Irish singer/songwriter's deeply felt fifth full-length effort seeks to reconnect to the natural world.

Diamonds

Luluc

Diamonds

Elegant and understated, the Australian duo's fifth album is their most complete statement to date.

Swinging Stars

Mapache

Swinging Stars

The L.A. folk-rock duo's fifth LP is marked by the chemistry and individuality of its two counterparts.

Strays

Margo Price

Strays

An adventurous, masterful record that can't quite be called Americana.

Furling

Meg Baird

Furling

The psychedelic folk songwriter brings new sounds and arrangement ideas into this largely self-played and self-produced album.

City of Gold

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway / Molly Tuttle

City of Gold

Bluegrass-Americana phenom Molly Tuttle and her Golden Highway band have released another assured collection of songs with virtuosic musicianship and relatable, erudite songwriting.

Celebrants

Nickel Creek

Celebrants

Arriving after a nine-year gap, this album is a rangy and satisfying return to form.

The Great White Sea Eagle

Nina Persson / The Second Hand Orchestra / James Yorkston

The Great White Sea Eagle

Lovely and moving harmony-heavy indie folk from a redoubtable team of musicians who play and sing with subtle grace.

Empire Electric

No-No Boy

Empire Electric

Less overtly academic than his two previous albums, Julian Saporiti pairs vivid global folk-pop with experimental production.

Jubilee

Old Crow Medicine Show

Jubilee

The veteran Americana band celebrates human connections on this joyful record.

Come Back to Me

Peter One

Come Back to Me

A heartfelt comeback from a former African folk star, now based in Nashville.

You're the One

Rhiannon Giddens

You're the One

A smart, sophisticated variation on a crossover record by the Americana stalwart.

Bluegrass Vacation

Robbie Fulks

Bluegrass Vacation

The maverick songwriter embraces his bluegrass roots with a roster of first-rate musicians and some funny and deeply moving songs.

Archangel Hill

Shirley Collins

Archangel Hill

The third album in the British folk icon's comeback series confirms her natural gifts as a musical storyteller.

Day of the Doug

Son Volt

Day of the Doug

A robust, earthy, and fun tribute to the late, great Doug Sahm.

Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection 2

Spencer Cullum

Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection 2

The second solo effort from the pedal steel player is a charming and adventurous mix of vintage pop, folk, jazz, and prog flavors.

Hollow

The Handsome Family

Hollow

The 11th studio album from the gloomy home-recording enthusiasts is engaging in its subtly layered sound and darkly witty lyrics.

I Only See the Moon

The Milk Carton Kids

I Only See the Moon

The acoustic duo strike an engaging balance on their sixth studio LP with subtle variations in instrumentation and songwriting style.

Lover's Game

The War and Treaty

Lover's Game

A sensual and soulful set of songs that pair timeless pop and country architecture with skilled, contemporary pop production.

No Ordinary Crown

Will Johnson

No Ordinary Crown

The prolific Centro-Matic leader gets a big sound from a small ensemble on this moody but passionate album.

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Margo Price
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