We’re back for another month of great country albums.
As I mentioned last month, we’re still a pretty small team here, and there just isn’t enough time to cover every single album under the country music umbrella every month… it’s a good problem to have. But the goal here is to get the word out on as much country music as possible.
One of our contributing writers, Hill, does a great monthly segment on some of the songs that might’ve snuck through the cracks each month. Titled 40 New Songs That Need To Be On Your Radar, it usually features songs we didn’t get a chance to write about, and last month, we debuted a new series on albums we didn’t get to cover in depth either. So we’re gonna continue to shine a spotlight on a few albums from the previous month that didn’t quite get the love they deserved.
These won’t be full reviews, but more like quick-hit recommendations of five albums that I’m digging from last month—albums we didn’t cover in a standalone blog. It won’t cover any of the big releases that everyone is already well aware of. Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, and Riley Green all dropped albums last month… but everybody already knows that. Whether we covered them or not, it was major news in the country music world.
So all that being said, here are my top five under-the-radar albums from September:
Leon Majcen – The Leaving Kind
Leon is a stud. One of the more prolific artists in country music over the past couple of years, he’s managed to put music out at an incredible pace without sacrificing an ounce of quality. Influenced by quintessential songwriting greats like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and John Prine, Majcen’s music is full of thought-provoking lyricism and detailed imagery that can really paint a vivid picture of a particular time and place in your mind.
He has a raw ability to tap into human emotion like few artists in the game right now, and The Leaving Kind is chock-full of examples. Long story short, he’s become one of those artists for me where I’m tuning in the second he drops new music. Appointment listening.
“Turn Me In”
Lauren Watkins – If I’m Being Honest
I’ve become a big fan of Lauren Watkins in the past few years, and her third studio effort, If I’m Being Honest, just continues to solidify my opinion. With compelling songwriting, traditional country production with some modern flair, and a really captivating voice, she has to be one of the most underrated acts in the game right now. Led by Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney, we’re finally starting to see a much-needed resurgence of female country stars, and I can’t help but think Lauren is poised for a real breakout year in 2027.
If I’m Being Honest finds the Nashville native diving into the dichotomy of a simple, small-town life while also trying to balance the limelight and a career in country music. Offering an honest and introspective look at the simple yet complex nature of navigating life, there’s a little something for everybody on this record.
“Prayer List”
Aaron Watson – The S.O.Bees Volume 1
Aaron Watson is a Texas country veteran who has over 20 years of country music experience, and his latest project captures the essence of ’60s and ’70s honky-tonk country music. With a bit of that signature Aaron Watson humor, The S.O.Bees Volume 1 features a number of songs that Aaron has written over the past 25 years—songs that didn’t quite have a place on previous albums.
Featuring a heavy dose of nostalgia, comedy, and straight-up country honky-tonk music, it’s quintessential Aaron Watson in the best possible way.
“Dolly Parton Pinball Machine”
Uncle Lucius – Open Eyes, Broken Heart
Even if you’re not familiar with Uncle Lucius, you’ve probably heard “Keep the Wolves Away,” which went viral after an appearance on Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone. It was actually that song that prompted the band to return from hiatus, and the band has been hitting it hard ever since. And thank God they did.
Their latest studio album, Open Eyes, Broken Heart, is right in their wheelhouse with a signature blend of rock and country music, alongside a whole lot of soul and grit. It’s not a concept album per se, but frontman Kevin Galloway says the album is designed to be listened to all the way through:
“It was made to be listened to from beginning to end. It’s loosely an exploration of the human journey through suffering, revelation, and the choices made in the light of it. On the road to redemption, a good place to start is with open eyes and a broken heart.”
And that’s exactly what I recommend you go do… thank me later.
“The Bruxist”
Laci Kaye Booth – Love Ain’t For the Faint of Heart
This album is a vibe. Her angelic voice is just so easy to listen to, and when you combine that with some genre-bending, dreamy country-pop production, this new studio effort is just so pleasant on the ears. A talented songwriter and captivating vocalist, Laci hooks you in right from the beginning with “Ride or Die” and keeps you wanting more with honest and vulnerable tales of love, loss, and a complicated relationship with her father.
Much like Lauren Watkins, I think Laci is set for a big year in 2027.
“Ride Or Die”
