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Parker Millsap | Be Here Instead
A fiery folk troubadour wrestles with his virtual reality on Be Here Instead, Parker Millsap’s fifth studio set. Known for rowdy performances, a snake-bitten vocal rasp and gritty fictional characters, Millsap’s effort here is more tempered and thoughtful, seeking concrete connection in the Zoom age. (Available April 9)
Ryanhood | Under the Leaves
Acoustic fusion aces Ryanhood offer an all-natural shot in the arm with Under the Leaves, the latest from an underappreciated Arizona duo. Mixing bluegrass speed, jam-ready melodies, and pop-rocking forward momentum, two guys with guitars challenge decades of easy-listening “rules.” (Available April 16)
Eric Church | Heart and Soul
A visionary country rocker outdoes himself on Heart and Soul, an ambitious triple album with a purpose. Experimenting with in-the-moment music-making, Church and friends wrote and recorded a song each day for more than a month, capturing a rare spark of undiluted creativity with each. (Available April 16, 20, 23)
Amy Speace with the Orphan Brigade | There Used to Be Horses Here
Americana poet Amy Speace explores the erosive forces of time on the deeply personal There Used to Be Horses Here. Riding a line between melancholy reflection and upbeat anticipation, an orchestral roots sound marks the passing of one generation, and the dawn of another. (Available April 30)