The moment of truth.
Over the years, we’ve always strived to make our “Albums of the Year” a reflection of our own tastes. After all, music is a subjective experience and we’ve always been pretty vocal about who we like and who we don’t like. Once again this year, we can confidently say that we like a little bit of everything. You’ll definitely recognize many of these artists and maybe even own some of these albums, but hopefully, we can leave you with something new to fall in love with as well.
It’s one thing to release a great song, and by no means can we diminish what it takes to pour your heart out on a piece of paper and come out on the other end with something truly exceptional, but the mark of a great artist will always be found in the album. A meticulously crafted, complete body of work.
From the writing room to the studio, all the way to release day, artists set out to tell their story over the course of 10 or 12 songs… I guess even 15 or 16 these days. It takes vision, reflection, vulnerability, long nights, early mornings, passion, and guts. And when it’s all finished, you hand this chapter of your life over to the public to do with it what they will. Every year, hundreds and hundreds of country artists embark on that same path, however only the most talented emerge with a truly great piece of art.
Here’s 40 of our favorites that did this year.
40. Sturgill Simpson – Sound & Fury
*Note: Sound & Fury is admittedly not a country album. It’s a “really sleazy, steamy rock ‘n roll record.” But, it’s Sturgill Simpson so it’s kicking off this year’s list at #40.
