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The Allmusic 2020

Year In Review

The year's best Americana albums also carry the flavors of styles such as alt-country, rock & roll, soul, and bluegrass, but still retain the roots that keep them in the lineage of American musical traditions.

Aubrie Sellers

Far From Home

On her second album, Aubrie Sellers expands her musical reach without abandoning her "garage country."

Charley Crockett

Welcome to Hard Times

A vivid, cinematic collection of Western tunes and country blues that feels simultaneously classic and vital.

Corb Lund

Agricultural Tragic

On this dynamic album, Corb Lund threads in a bunch of guitar pop and rock tricks into his clever country music.

Della Mae

Headlight

The bluegrass band expands their sonic palette and addresses politically charged issues.

Gretchen Peters

The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury

One of America's finest songwriters offers a deep, revelatory dive into the songs of the late, great Mickey Newbury.

Honey Harper

Starmaker

Harper's debut evokes the sunset patina of '70s country-rock and folk staples like Ian Matthews, Gram Parsons, Mickey Newbury, and the Eagles.

Jeff Tweedy

Love Is the King

The Wilco frontman and his sons ponder love, fear, and a truly strange era with 11 songs that fall between hope and doubt.

Jeremy Ivey

Waiting Out the Storm

With wife Margo Price again producing, Ivey serves up a strong sonic successor to his debut that wades amiably into the weeds of politics and society.

Jonathan Wilson

Dixie Blur

Recording at Jack Clement's Nashville studio with a crack session band, the California-based singer/songwriter revisits his North Carolina roots.

Kathleen Edwards

Total Freedom

The Canadian singer/songwriter returns to music with an album that speaks of strength, independence, and rough-hewn beauty.

Lambchop

Trip

Kurt Wagner and Co. return to a more organic approach to recording with this set of tunes from other songwriters.

Lilly Hiatt

Walking Proof

The singer and songwriter ups her game across the board on this well-crafted and expressive fourth album.

Lydia Loveless

Daughter

Leaving most of her country influences behind, the singer/songwriter delivers a devastating post-mortem of an unhealthy relationship.

Mapache

From Liberty Street

The L.A. close harmony folk duo turn in a breezy homemade gem on their strong sophomore set.

Margo Price

That's How Rumors Get Started

The country maverick broadens and deepens her musical purview with production assistance from Sturgill Simpson.

Old 97's

Twelfth

The Texas alt-country veterans get older and wise up a little while still playing powerful, heartfelt rock with a twang.

Puss N Boots

Sister

Puss N Boots return with an endearingly low-key record that slightly emphasizes original material

Ron Sexsmith

Hermitage

The great songwriter moves away from the big city and makes an album that's playful and fun in unexpected ways.

Rumer

Nashville Tears

The British singer's immaculately produced exploration of the work of country songwriter Hugh Prestwood.

Ruston Kelly

Shape & Destroy

A mellow, hazy, and introspective record that soothes during troubled times.

Steve Earle / Steve Earle & the Dukes

Ghosts of West Virginia

The Texas singer/songwriter creates an eloquent song cycle about the lives and risks of West Virginia coal miners.

Sturgill Simpson

Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions

A rousing, joyous collection of bluegrass renditions of Sturgill Simpson's old songs.

Swamp Dogg

Sorry You Couldn't Make It

The legendary mad genius of soul makes a kinda-sorta country album and reminds us how little separates the two genres.

The Jayhawks

XOXO

All four members contribute songwriting and lead vocals on this adventurous album from the alt-country stalwarts.

The Secret Sisters

Saturn Return

The follow-up to 2017's acclaimed You Don't Own Me Anymore is spilling over with heart and hard-won wisdom.

The Texas Gentlemen

Floor It!!!

A wild, careening rock & roll ride ideal for listeners with omnivorous tastes and a sense of humor.

Tyler Childers

Long Violent History

A low-key, largely instrumental protest album.

Watkins Family Hour

Brother Sister

For their second album as the Watkins Family Hour, Sean and Sara Watkins highlight their familial bond.

Waxahatchee

Saint Cloud

The indie rocker's self-examining fifth album embraces warm country-rock with help from members of Bonny Doon and Bonny Light Horseman.

Whitney Rose

We Still Go To Rodeos

A softer album from the Austin-based singer/songwriter that emphasizes her slyly idiosyncratic Americana.

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Old 97's