Artists like Shane Smith & the Saints, Zach Top, and Charley Crockett, among so many others, have already released fantastic records this year, and there are plenty more new projects to come from some of the genre’s best.
One thing that always seems to pleasantly surprise me, though, is just how many spectacular debut albums there each year. I mean, artists don’t always come out swinging with such spectacular work in their first full length projects, but for whatever reason, there have been so many young artists and new groups that have come out with truly impressive debut projects lately.
So, in an effort to show country music fans some of the best new music from newer artists this year, here are 15 debut albums released thus far in 2024 that I just haven’t been able to get enough of. Hopefully you find some of your favorite new music from the artists and albums below.
And make no mistake, there’s many more, and some I haven’t got to quite yet, but come back at the end of the year and we’ll put together the final list.
Colby T. Helms – Tales of Misfortune
Song Pick: “Higher Ground”
Holler Choir – Songs Before They Write Themselves
Song Pick: “Hamlet Blues”
Jayce Turley – Broke Down
Song Pick: “Withdrawals & Gauze”
Jordan Lee King – By and By
Song Pick – “Cars and Refrigerators”
Keller Cox – Good Again, Amen
Song Pick: “The Joy of Life”
Kimmi Bitter – Old School
Song Pick: “My Grass is Blue”
Max McNown – Wandering
Song Pick: “Worry ‘Bout My Wandering
Oliver Anthony – Hymnal of a Troubled Man’s Mind
Song Pick: “Momma’s Been Hurting”
Reid Haughton – Higher Than 9
Song Pick: “The Crow”
Sentimental Family Band – Sweethearts Only
Song Pick: “Never Love Again”
Taylor Hunnicutt – Alabama Sound
Song Pick: “Trail of a Broken Heart”
The Castellows – A Little Goes A Long Way
I know this one’s technically listed as an EP on Spotify, but there are other projects on here with seven tracks listed as album’s, so we’re including The Castellows’ debut project anyway.
Song Pick: “No. 7 Road”
The Droptines – The Droptines
Song Pick: “Army Green”
Willow Avalon – Stranger
Song Pick: “Gettin’ Rich, Goin’ Broke”
Wood Box Heroes – 444
Song Pick: “This Train”
And… there’s technically one more artist…
Johnny Blue Skies – Passage Du Desir
Does this really count as a debut album? I’m not sure that it does. But either way, Passage Du Desir might just be the album of the year. It’s good to have Sturgill back.
Song Pick: “Jupiter’s Faerie”
