1. Mat Kearney | January Flower
Folk pop favorite Mat Kearney keeps things simple but not “stripped down” in January Flower, pairing modern production with classic charm. Never cluttered but always creative, thirteen tracks mix beats and beauty, chill vibes and heartfelt warmth, emotional depth and all-good clarity. (Available May 21)
2. Tony Joe White | Smoke from the Chimney
Black Keys front man Dan Auerbach revives the Swamp Fox in Smoke from the Chimney, finishing a set of unknown home recordings discovered after Tony Joe White’s 2018 passing. The funky soul rocker turned reflective in his later years, but his booming Cajun baritone never faded. (Available May 7)
3. Zayde Wolf | Neon Blood Type
Grammy-nominated producer and writer Dustin Burnett plays sonic alchemist as the artist Zayde Wolf, and with his third album, Neon Blood Type, electronic and alternative rock get an infusion of infectious energy. Thirteen hyper-punk tracks are the sonic equivalent of chugging a case of Red Bull. (Available May 7)
4. The Steel Woods | All of Your Stones
The Steel Woods bid farewell to co-founder Jason “Rowdy” Cope with All of Your Stones, completed just before the guitarist’s untimely death in January. A true Southern Rock torchbearer, Cope’s expressive licks lead ten raspy, hard-edged tracks in an accidental tribute to lost talent. (Available May 14)