I had some credit left and picked up downloads of bunch of 2016 albums that I had missed early in the year. Midwest Heart / Southern Blues by Nick Dittmeier and the Sawdusters was one of them and this turned out to be a damn good album. Magnificent gritty americana and southern rock’n’roll. Perhaps I’ve heard something similar several times in the past, but I don’t mind at all. The album is full of great songs and it’s an absolute joy to listen to this one. This is Ever Since You Left Town from the new album.

Nick Dittmeier Website

New Chris Staples album Golden Age will be released by Barsuk Records on August 19th. This first single Relatively Permanent is one of my favourite songs in the world at the moment and therefore I have very high hopes for the new album. Strange how someone can quietly hum a two-minute long tune and instantly it feels memorable and captivating. I can’t wait to hear the whole thing. I also need to get my hands on the previous album American Soft, because now it feels so criminal to not own a copy that I might get sued any day. Meanwhile I listen to this on repeat in my hideout.

Chris Staples Website

Today was also the UK release date of the BJ Barham’s (American Aquarium) solo album. Rockingham is now out and available on At The Helm Records. BJ is a mighty good songwriter from Raleigh, North Carolina and I need to grab a copy of this solo sometime soon, because I’m sure this is a magnificent album. This new song Unfortunate Kind is wonderful and would work on its own. But then there’s also this video that perfectly captures the spirit of the song. Oh my. It’s impossible to watch this without being moved to tears. It’s a devastating heartbreak, but one wrapped in warmth and gratitude.

BJ Barham Website