KATIE PRUITT MANTRAS
Aptly described as a “full-circle journey from self-sabotage to self-compassion,” Mantras finds singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt building a soundtrack to messy-but-lasting inner peace. Exploring complex feelings on family, religion, and her own mind, angelic vocals meet a grungy folk-rock sound. (Available April 5.)
MARCUS KING MOOD SWINGS
Marcus King takes a massive creative leap on the Rick Rubin-produced Mood Swings, getting out from behind his virtuosic guitar playing to spotlight a gutsy vocal rasp. Adding dark, sinewy R&B to his raw blues-rock style, the set is brutally honest about mental health challenges. (Available April 5.)
TYLER HUBBARD STRONG
Tyler Hubbard proves he can still set a hook with Strong, the hit-maker’s second solo set post-Florida Georgia Line. Writing on each of the album’s 13 instantly engaging tracks, fun, fatherhood, nostalgia, and more join a smooth update to the “anything goes” country style he helped pioneer. (Available April 12.)
ERIC SLICK NEW AGE RAGE
Fusing new-wave pop with schmaltzy synth, samples, and social self-consciousness, Dr. Dog mainstay Eric Slick delivers a wonderfully weird dance-rock opus on New Age Rage. Tapping a party-through-the- apocalypse spirit, each of his 10 grooving tracks is quirkier and catchier than the last. (Available April 26.)