Tonight’s small round up starts with the 2 new EPs from the legendary Twain. Alternator has been available digitally before, but New Miami Sound is entirely new addition to his catalogue. New Miami Sound is also sort of a Side C for his magnificent Rare Feeling album. The songs are from the same sessions, but didn’t quite fit on that amazing album. If you are new to Twain, the album Rare Feeling is probably the place to start. That record is everything, but these lovely EPs don’t fall far behind. Even during their dark and devastating moments, Twain’s songs somehow manage to feel warmhearted and full of empathy. The two EPs came out on Keeled Scales on the 25th of January.

Twain at Facebook

One of my most anticipated 2019 releases is the new Caroline Spence’s album Mint Condition that will be out on Rounder Records on the 3rd of May. I still have to wait a few months for the album, but an awesome two song digital single Long Haul / Mint Condition did surface a couple of weeks ago. Both songs are winners, but here’s the album closer and title track Mint Condition that also features Emmylou Harris.

Caroline Spence Website

Cale Tyson takes a new direction on his new EP Narcissist. He has written some gorgeous traditional country songs in the past and on the last full-length he explored country soul horizons. This time he wrote a fragile and honest EP and recorded it in his bedroom. It’s stripped-down and vulnerable, but leaves a strong impression on the listener. Bonus points for being able to use the word “instagram” and getting away with it. Just shows that everything can work, if you are a good songwriter. This is definitely more indie than country and therefore some old fans might struggle. I don’t mind at all. These labels are nonsense anyway. This is really good, maybe even the best thing he has done. And that’s all that matters.

Cale Tyson Website

Let’s wrap up tonight’s round up post with the new video from Charlie Whitten. If you followed this little back in 2017, you know that I absolute loved his Playwright EP. The Weather Station album and that EP were by far the most important releases of that year for me. There’s a new 4-song EP on the horizon and the first outtake is available as a magnificent music video. Out Of This was directed by Anthony Simpkins from the GemsOnVHS fame. Insanely good and I can’t wait to hear the new EP.

Charlie Whitten Website

A small post of brilliant singles for tonight. Kicking things off from Los Angeles, California with the debut single from Joe Bourdet. This one could easily be mistaken as a newly discovered hidden treasure from the vaults of gentle 70s Californian folk rock. At least it takes me into that era of wonderful music. It’s really a single with two a-sides, because both Seamist and El Capitan are winners. It’s a pretty perfect single and I sure hope there’s an album of these sweets sounds on the horizon.

Joe Bourdet Website

Staying close by in San Francisco, California where China is getting ready to release their next album. And Then Nothing Happened is due out on the 22nd of February on Royal Oakie Records. I’ve been a big fan of this folk rock band led by Michael James Tapscott since the early EPs and I can’t wait to hear the full album. The first outtake and opening track Marnie is now out and available and sounds really good. I’m sure I’ll get back to this record a few times during the coming months.

China at Facebook

Next stop Nashville, Tennessee and the new single from Joseph Robert Krauss. I have a bit of a hole in my singer-songwriter education, because I didn’t know him before a friend of mine (I think it was Nathan K) shared this song New Mexico when it came out a few weeks ago. I instantly loved it and I’m currently in the process of expanding my studies with everything I can find. Here’s the gorgeous New Mexico.

Joseph Robert Krauss at Facebook

It’s past midnight here, so let’s end this little singles tour in Victoria, Canada with the fabulous new song from Evan Cheadle. He is re-releasing his awesome 2018 EP Chasing Shadows and accompanied it with a release of a brand new single Float On Down The Line. This one might already be my favorite Evan Cheadle song, which is a lot said, because I absolute love Comes in Colours from the EP.

Evan Cheadle Website

I’m not sure will there ever be a time when I manage to write longer posts, so I guess I’ll stick with these short round-up posts at least for the time being. After all, I don’t want this to became just a playlist thing either. Anyway, here’s a few 2019 albums and singles that I’ve loved during this first month of the year.

Canadian songwriter and storyteller Bob Sumner sings Wasted Love Songs and does it ever so beautifully. You may know Bob Sumner from The Sumner Brothers, but this gently mesmerizing collection of folk/americana ballads is his solo debut. My personal favorite is this album closer Ticket to Ride that you can watch/listen below, but everything else is equally captivating and I highly recommend listening to the whole amazing album. An early treasure from the 2019 music vault.

Bob Sumner Website

I wanted more than a song out of you, the new Charlie Shafter album When I Was Yours & You Were Mine grapped my attention with the first line and didn’t let go until the last note had drifted into the air. Charlie Shafter is a Texas-based singer-songwriter and he has written a really strong album full of gorgeous americana songs. I really love the lyrics on this one. He is such a good storyteller and able to write lines that instantly gets stuck in the heart of the listener. One of my big favourites is this one called Chainsaw. Such a great album.

Charlie Shafter Website

And a small run of great new singles to end this little round-up post. Staying in Texas for all of these. We start with Return, which is an excellent outtake from a forthcoming EP release by Jacob Furr.

Jacob Furr Website

Next up is Matthew McNeal who released a beautiful single on the first week of the year. The song Michael is a moving and soulful tribute to his father who passed away a year ago.

Matthew McNeal Website

And finally the latest single from Jake Paleschic. I’m not exactly sure if and/or when there is an album coming out, but what I do know that both this new single Bad Memories and the previous single Some Days are wonderful.

Jake Paleschic Website