SAM OUTLAW
POPULAR MECHANICS
After years of looking at Nashville through a SoCal lens, Sam Outlaw does the opposite on Popular Mechanics. Eleven tracks fuse unabashed ‘80s-pop decadence with smooth pedal steel and admiration for driven DIY engineers—behind-the-scenes creative talent Outlaw sees paralleled in music. (Available November 12)
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS
THE FUTURE
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats walk a tightrope of emotional upheaval in The Future, the acclaimed band’s third album. Booming soul-folk vocals mix with edgy roots-rock and vintage-R&B production, for 11 pandemic-written tracks that could fall either way—toward passion or pessimism. (Available November 5)
JASON ALDEAN
MACON
Superstar Jason Aldean tips a hat to his Georgia roots on Macon, pointing back to the musical crossroads of his hometown. The first half of a double set, Macon features 15 songs (including his first ever live tracks), helping to show where muscle country’s preeminent star came from. (Available November 12)
WILLIE NELSON
THE WILLIE NELSON FAMILY
As the name implies, the whole Nelson clan contributes to The Willie Nelson Family, a comfortable set that feels like a post-Sunday-dinner singalong. Featuring Nelson’s children, sister and longtime friends, some of Willie’s earliest tunes join standards by Hank Sr., George Harrison and more. (Available November 19)