Metacritic/EOY Aggregate: 2025 New Music: Country/Americana/Folk

Notes

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Sub-Lists

Some breakdowns by genre:

Ranking

  1. Tyler Childers: Snipe Hunter (Hickman Holler/RCA) {78}: BB:26, BS:10, BV_48, EWi:1, GTV:33, I:9, Ne:19*, P:*, PO:1*, RS:7*, RS_c:1, Rx:28, Sl:6*, TL:1, Tr:36, U:*, UR:*, XCI:**, XJD:9; am:*, am_c:+, asp:+, e:+, pi:1, scm:+, sg_c:1, sl:+, usw:+, vew:+, vu:5, xjdc:*, xpb:+ -- A:83/9, RX:A, TH:A-
  2. Margo Price: Hard Headed Woman (Loma Vista) {53}: Al:34, BB:35, BV:49, Cl:*, DW:**, EWi:14, Mj:50*, PM:*, RC:*, RS_c:6, Rx:13, Sp:*, TL:5, Tr:32, U:43*, XC:I:**; am:+*, am_c:+, pm_a:5, scm:++*, sg_c:2, so_d:17, so_k:24, vew:+, xjdc:* -- A:80/12, RX:A, TH:A-
  3. Jason Isbell: Foxes in the Snow (Southeastern) {50}: AD:*, Al:50, BB:+, BS:13, BV:+, DW:*, EWi:50, Ex:*, Mj:33*+, NT:*, P:*, PM:*+, RT:8, Rx:10, SC:*, Sl:25*, Spk:*, TL:5, TN:*, Tr:29, U:20*, WX:7; am:*, pm_a:7, scm:+* -- A:81/14, RX:A-, TH:A-
  4. S.G. Goodman: Planting by the Signs (Slough Water/Thirty Tigers) {39}: BS:6, BV:52, Fld:21, Gl:++, LBF:30, Mj:*, P:*, Pf:*, PM:*, RC:*, RS_c:15, Rx:5, Sp:*, StL:*, TL:14, U:12*, Up_sh:18; pm_a:11, vgb:7, xjdc:* -- A:83/9, RX:A-, TH:A-
  5. The Delines: Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom (Decor) {38}: DW:**+, EWi:9, GTV:38, LW:69, Mj:*, PO:2*, RC:*, RT:83, Rx:42, ST:++, U:38*, XCI:**; xde:2, xdr:1, xjdc:* -- A:83/3, RX:A, TH:A-
  6. James McMurtry: The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy (New West) {31}: CM:+, EWi:25, Gl:++, Mj:*, Pf_k:27, PM:*, RS_c:14, Rx:17, SC:*, TL:13, U:*, XCI:**; pi:7, pm_a:19, scm:++*, xjdc:* -- A:82/5, RX:A-, TH:A-
  7. Eric Church: Evangeline vs. the Machine (UMG Nashville) {17}: BB:50, HV:+, RS:26*, RS_c:3; am:+*, am_c:+, bb_c:1, sg_c:4 -- A:76/4, TH:*
  8. Florry: Sounds Like . . . (Dear Life) {17}: BV:14, Gl:++, P:15*, Pf:*, Sl:37, Up_sh:3, UR:*, WX:24, WxM:32; pi:10 -- A:83/3
  9. Alison Krauss & Union Station: Arcadia (Down the Road) {17}: AD:*, Bc:+, Mj:*+, MO:*, O:*, PM:*+, TL:18, U:*, UR:*; am:*, am_c:+, scm:+ -- A:81/10, TH:**
  10. Hailey Whitters: Corn Queen (Big Loud/Pigasus) {17}: DW:**, EWi:35, PM:*, RS_c:8, XCI:**; pm_a:8, scm:+*, xjdc:* -- TH:A-
  11. Charley Crockett: Dollar a Day (Lone Star Rider/Island) {16}: RS:40, RS_c:5, TL:12; scm:++* -- RX:B+, TH:***
  12. Ken Pomeroy: Cruel Joke (Rounder) {16}: BS:2; npr_ap:2, scm:+*, sg_c:5, sl:+, vew:+ -- TH:***
  13. Jubal Lee Young: Squirrels (Reconstruction) {16}: DW:**, Rx:24, SpL:**, XCI:**; xjdc:* -- RX:A-, TH:A-
  14. Willi Carlisle: Winged Victory (Signature Sounds) {15}: CM:+, DW:**, EWi:48, Rx:48, TL:11; xjdc:* -- RX:A-, TH:***
  15. Hayes Carll: We're Only Human (Hwy 87) {15}: ClR:*, EWi:+, Gl:*, Mj:*, XCI:**; scm:+* -- RX:***, TH:A-
  16. Carter Faith: Cherry Valley (MCA Nashville) {15}: RS:18, RS_c:2; bb_c:3, scm:+*, sg_c:3, xjdc:* -- TH:**
  17. Fust: Big Ugly (Dear Life) {15}: Alt:47, BPM:*, NT:*, P:13*, Sl:43, Up_sh:8, UR:*, WxM:8 -- A:88/3, TH:*
  18. Hayden Pedigo: I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away (Mexican Summer) {15}: Cl:*, Ni:28, NR:14, NT:*, P:23*, Pf:38*, SC:*, U:*, UR:26; am:+*, am_c:+ -- A:80/9
  19. Zach Top: Ain't in It for My Health (Leo33) {14}: BB:47, LAT:23, RS_c:18, Up_sh:17; bb_c:2, scm:+*, wp:9, xjdc:* -- A:71/3, TH:**
  20. Kathleen Edwards: Billionaire (Dualtone) {13}: Al:48, PO:*, TL:20, WX:9; am:+*, am_c:+, xjdc:* -- A:75/4, TH:**
  21. Friendship: Caveman Wakes Up (Merge) {13}: BV:24, RS_ir:37, Sg:5, Sp:*, Up_sh:7, WxM:14; am:* -- A:76/4
  22. Willie Nelson: Oh What a Beautiful World (Legacy) {12}: BB:*, Mj:*, Sp:*; scm:+, xjdc:* -- A:83/3, RX:***, TH:A-
  23. Rodney Crowell: Airline Highway (New West) {11}: AAJ:*, Mj:*, PM:*, TL:15, U:*; pm_a:15, xjdc:* -- A:76/5, TH:***
  24. Lilly Hiatt: orever (New West) {11}: Mj:*, PM:*+, Sl:*, U:*, YW:17; am:*, am_c:+, pm_a:16 -- A:78/5, TH:*
  25. Turnpike Troubadours: The Price of Admission (Bossier City) {11}: RS_c:20; am:*, am_c:+, bb_c:5, scm:1* -- A:80/1, TH:*
  26. Molly Tuttle: So Long Little Miss Sunshine (Nonesuch) {11}: Mj:*, PM:*, TL:16, U:*, XCI:*; am:*, am_c:+, pm_a:9 -- A:75/6, TH:**
  27. Kelsey Waldon: Every Ghost (Oh Boy) {11}: RS:70, RS_c:4; scm:++* -- TH:***
  28. Jeff Evans Porkestra: When Pigs Dance (self-relesed -EP) {10}: Rx:11, XCI:** -- RX:A-, TH:**
  29. Helene Cronin: Maybe New Mexico (self-released) {9}: Rx:40 -- RX:A-, TH:A-
  30. Colin Miller: Losin' (Mtn Laurel) {9}: Alt;24, P:*+, PM:*+, WxM:9; pm_f:20 -- A:88/2
  31. Gurf Morlix: Bristlecone (Rootball) {9}: PO:* -- RX:A-, TH:A-
  32. The Devil Makes Three: Spirits (New West) {8}: PM:*+, UR:*; pm_a:3, scm:+* -- A:80/2, TH:*
  33. Brennen Leigh: Don't You Ever Give Up on Love (Signature Sounds) {8}: XCI:*; scm:++* -- TH:A-
  34. Maren Morris: Dreamsicle (Columbia) {8}: BB:+; am:*, am_p:+, hyf:18, xpb:10 -- A:76/4, TH:***
  35. Sam Stoane: Tales of the Dark West (Cloverdale) {8}: scm:++* -- TH:A-
  36. Sunny Sweeney: Rhinestone Requiem (Aunt Daddy) {8}: scm:2*, xjdc:* -- TH:A-
  37. Morgan Wade: The Party Is Over (Recovered) (Ladylike/Sony) {8}: AS:*, PO:*, XCI:**; xjdc:* -- A:70/2, TH:***
  38. Morgan Wallen: I'm the Problem (Big Loud/Republic/Mercury) {8}: BB:39, LAT:4; bb_c:6, n_ap:9, ny_c:13 -- A:53/6
  39. The War and Treaty: Plus One (Mercury/UMG Nashville) {8}: PO:*, TL:9; am:*, am_c:+, scm:+* -- A:90/1, TH:B-
  40. Sunny War: Armageddon in a Summer Dress (New West) {8}: LBF:*, LW:24, Mj:*, RC:*, WxM:98; sg_c:3 -- A:75/6, TH:*
  41. From the Dirt: Colored Edge of Memory (Partial Lyrics) {7}: -- RX:A-, TH:***
  42. Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson: What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow (Nonesuch) {7}: AD:*, U:39; am:*, am_c:+ -- A:90/2, TH:***
  43. Lola Kirke: Trailblazer (One Riot) {7}: FO:*, Mj:*, RS:+; scm:+ -- A:77/3, TH:***
  44. Loveseat: Our Way (Reckless Pedestrian) {7}: -- RX:***, TH:A-
  45. Ashley Monroe: Tennessee Lightning (Mountainrose Sparrow) {7}: EWi:+, PM:*, RS_c:9; pm_a:10 -- A:80/1, TH:*
  46. Willie Nelson: Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle (Legacy) {7}: Mj:*; scm:+* -- A:80/3, TH:A-
  47. Cam Pierce: A Thousand Lonely Horses (self-released) {7}: scm:++* -- TH:A-
  48. Charley Crockett: Lonesome Drifter (Lone Star Rider/Island) {6}: BB:+, RS:+; scm:+* -- A:72/3, TH:**
  49. Chandler Dozier: Bakersfield East (self-released -EP) {6}: scm:++* -- TH:***
  50. Olivia Ellen Lloyd: Do It Myself (self-released) {6}: scm:++* -- TH:***
  51. Parker McCollum: Parker McCollum (MCA Nashville) {6}: LAT:8; am:*, am_c:+, scm:+ -- A:80/1
  52. Carson McHone: Pentimento (Merge) {6}: Mj:*, Sp:*, U:57*; am:*, am_s:+ -- A:83/4
  53. Lukas Nelson: American Romance (Sony Music Nashville) {6}: ClR:*, RS_c:17; scm:++* -- A:75/2
  54. Cleo Reed: Cuntry (self-released) {6}: Pf:46, Sg:48, Sl:26; npr_ap:3 -- A:79/1, TH:*
  55. Rose City Band: Sol Y Sombra (Thrill Jockey) {6}: Mj:*, Sg:+, TN:*, U:*, WxM:58; am:* -- A:80/4
  56. Ringo Starr: Look Up (Roccabella/Lost Highway) {6}: Cl:*, RC:*, RS_c:25, Sp:*; am:*, am_c:+ -- A:71/14
  57. Willow Avalon: Southern Belle Raisin' Hell (Assemble Sound/Atlantic) {5}: Em:*, PM:*+ -- A:78/2, TH:**
  58. Jesse Daniel: Son of the San Lorenzo (Lightning Rod) {5}: scm:++* -- TH:**
  59. Grey DeLisle & Friends: It's All Her Fault: A Tribute to Cindy Walker (Brooklyn Basement) {5}: YW:56; pm_a:18, scm:+ -- TH:**
  60. Nicholas Jamerson: The Narrow Way (Clover) {5}: scm:++* -- TH:**
  61. Jess Jocoy: Cul-de-Sac Kid (self-released) {5}: scm:++* -- TH:**
  62. Elizabeth Nichols: Tough Love (Pulse -EP) {5}: SpL:**; xjdc:* -- TH:**
  63. Jake Owen: Dreams to Dream (Good Company) {5}: RS_c:13; scm:+ -- TH:**
  64. Kalie Shorr: My Type (Pound It Out Loud -EP) {5}: XCI:** -- TH:***
  65. Tobacco City: Horses (Scissor Tail Editions) {5}: Mj:*, P:42, Sp:*, Spk:*, U:* -- A:83/5
  66. Colter Wall: Memories and Empties (La Honda) {5}: scm:3* -- TH:**
  67. The Castellows: Homecoming (Warner Music Nashville -EP) {4}: scm:+* -- TH:**
  68. Matt Daniel: The Poet (self-released) {4}: scm:+* -- TH:**
  69. Chris Eckman: The Land We Knew the Best (Glitterhouse) {4}: Mj:*, Spk:*, U:26* -- A:79/4
  70. Patty Griffin: Crown of Roses (PGM/Thirty Tigers) {4}: Mj;*, U:*; am:*, am_c:+ -- A:80/4
  71. Joshua Hedley: All Hat (New West) {4}: scm:+* -- TH:**
  72. The Marcus King Band: Darling Blue () {4}: rbm:+, scm:++* --
  73. Leon Majcen: Making a Livin' (Not a Killin') (Cloverdale) {4}: scm:+*, sg_c:4 --
  74. Juliet McConkey: Southern Front (Soggy Anvil) {4}: scm:++* -- TH:*
  75. Gurf Morlix: A Taste of Ashes (Rootball) {4}: -- XG:**, TH:**
  76. Kristina Murray: Little Blue () {4}: RS_c:16; scm:+* --
  77. The Third Mind: Right Now! (Yep Roc) {4}: PO:* -- TH:***
  78. Ross Thorn: Ross Thorn Tries Fitting In (Casa De Copas) {4}: -- RX:*, TH:***
  79. Joshua Ray Walker: Tropicana (Thirty Tigers) {4}: PM:*; pm_a:20, scm:+* -- A:80/1
  80. Watchhouse: Rituals (Tiptoe Tiger Music) {4}: BS:16, RS_c:21, Spk:* -- A:84/1
  81. Jake Worthington: When I Write the Song () {4}: scm:++*; bb_c:9 --
  82. Trisha Yearwood: The Mirror () {4}: am:*, am_c:+, bb_c:7, scm:+ --
  83. Cole Chaney: In the Shadow of the Mountain () {3}: scm:++* --
  84. Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country: Horizons () {3}: scm:++* --
  85. Myron Elkins: Nostalgia for Sale () {3}: scm:++* --
  86. Joe Ely: Love & Freedom (Rack 'Em) {3}: -- TH:***
  87. Cody Jinks: In My Blood (Late August) {3}: scm:+* -- TH:*
  88. Jesse Lovelock: & the Velvet Voices () {3}: scm:++* --
  89. Sam Moss: Swimming (self-released) {3}: PM:*, S:+, Sp:* -- A:76/3
  90. Ty Myers: The Select (Columbia) {3}: am:*, am_c:+, scm:+ -- A:80/1
  91. Tami Neilson: Neon Cowgirl () {3}: scm:++* --
  92. Case Oats: Last Missouri Exit (Merge) {3}: P:*, RT:97, U:* -- A:73/4
  93. Odeal: The Fall That Saved Us (Ovmbr/Lvrn -EP) {3}: -- A:60/1
  94. Lance Roark: Bad Reputation () {3}: scm:++* --
  95. Nick Shoulders: Refugia Blues (Gar Hole) {3}: scm:+ -- TH:**
  96. Joe Stamm Band: Little Crosses () {3}: scm:++* --
  97. The Third Mind: Live Mind (Yep Roc) {3}: TN:* -- TH:**
  98. Vandoliers: Life Behind Bars () {3}: RS_c:7 --
  99. Colby Acuff: Enjoy the Ride () {2}: scm:+* --
  100. The AMs: Here Comes That Broken Heart () {2}: scm:+* --
  101. Blaine Bailey: Indian Country () {2}: scm:+* --
  102. Hayden Baker: Alive & Well () {2}: scm:+* --
  103. William Beckmann: Whiskey Lies & Allibis () {2}: scm:+* --
  104. Bettysoo: If You Never Go Away (self-released) {2}: PM:*; pm_a:22 -- A:80/1
  105. Jack Blocker: The Land on Most High () {2}: scm:+* --
  106. Jason Boland & the Stragglers: The Last Kings of Babylon () {2}: scm:+* --
  107. Kane Brown: The High Road (RCA Nashville) {2}: am:*, am_c:+ -- A:80/1
  108. Caitlin Cannon: Love Addict (self-released) {2}: scm:+* --
  109. Mackenzie Carpenter: Hey Country Queen (Big Machine) {2}: xjdc:* -- TH:*
  110. Chaparelle: Western Pleasure () {2}: scm:+* --
  111. Cat Clyde: Live at Rare Bird Farm: A Benefit Album for Western North Carolina (Socan Canada) {2}: -- TH:**
  112. Country Honk: Bad Decision () {2}: scm:+* --
  113. Beau Edmondson: The the End () {2}: scm:+* --
  114. Madeline Edwards: Fruit () {2}: RS_c:12 --
  115. Robbie Fulks: Now Then (Compass) {2}: am:*, am_c:+ -- A:80/1, TH:B
  116. Vince Gill: 50 Years From Home () {2}: scm:+* --
  117. Charles Wesley Godwin: Lonely Mountain Town () {2}: scm:+* --
  118. Wesley Hanna: Magnolia () {2}: scm:+* --
  119. Kat Hasty: Time of Your Life (Jackie Java/Thirty Tigers) {2}: scm:+* --
  120. Tyler Hatley/Justin Clyde Williams: The Dick and Tammy Show () {2}: scm:+* --
  121. Weldon Henson: Stone Cold Country Gold () {2}: scm:+* --
  122. Haley Heynderickx/Max García Conover: What of Our Nature (Fat Possum) {2}: am:*, am_c:+ -- A:75/2
  123. Pug Johnson: El Cabron () {2}: scm:+* --
  124. Kathryn Legendre: Here's Your Honky Tonk () {2}: scm:+* --
  125. Dan Lepien: The Honky Tonk Traditional () {2}: scm:+* --
  126. Tony Logue: Dark Horse (Jenny Ridge Productions) {2}: scm:+* --
  127. Pitney Meyer: Cherokee Pioneer () {2}: scm:+* --
  128. Drake Milligan: Tumbleweed () {2}: scm:+* --
  129. Miss Tess: Cher Rêve () {2}: scm:+* --
  130. The Moran Tripp Band: Jumpers Hole () {2}: scm:+* --
  131. Muscadine Bloodline: And What Was Left Behind (Stancaster/Thirty Tigers) {2}: sg_c:5 --
  132. Brad Paisley: Snow Globe Town () {2}: scm:+* --
  133. Christopher Seymore: King of Nothing () {2}: scm:+* --
  134. Shinglers: Hit the Head () {2}: scm:+* --
  135. Sister Sadie: All Will Be Well () {2}: scm:+* --
  136. Slow Motion Cowboys: Wolf of St. Elmo () {2}: -- U:75*
  137. Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter: Forever, I've Been Being Born () {2}: am:*, am_c:+ --
  138. Treaty Oak Revival: West Texas Degenerate () {2}: bb_c:4 --
  139. Mason Via: Mason Via () {2}: scm:+* --
  140. Josh Ward: Same Ol' Cowboy, Different Rodeo () {2}: scm:+* --
  141. Chasen Wayne: Corpus () {2}: scm:+* --
  142. Justin Wells: Cynthiana () {2}: scm:+* --
  143. Dee White: Heart Talkin' () {2}: scm:+* --
  144. The Wilder Blue: Still in the Runnin' () {2}: scm:+* --
  145. Big City Brian Wright: Sky Trucker () {2}: scm:+* --
  146. Kelsea Ballerini: Mount Pleasant (Black River -EP) {1}: Ch:24 --
  147. Melissa Carper: A Very Carper Christmas () {1}: scm:+ --
  148. Brent Cobb: Ain't Rocked in a While () {1}: scm:+ --
  149. The Doohickeys: All Hat No Cattle () {1}: scm:+ --
  150. Waylon Hanel: When Waylon Came to Nashville () {1}: scm:+ --
  151. Bryce Leatherwood: Bryce Leatherwood () {1}: scm:+ --
  152. Minor Gold: Way to the Sun () {1}: DJ:27 --
  153. Whitey Morgan and the 78's: Live From Bandit Town USA () {1}: scm:+ --
  154. Oldstar: Of the Highway () {1}: P:+ --
  155. Paige Plaisance: Louisiana Lonely () {1}: scm:* --
  156. Makenzie Rae & Buckshot Moon: Lonesome and Free () {1}: scm:+ --
  157. Juliana Riolino: Echo in the Dust () {1}: Ex:46 -- A:70/1
  158. Role Model: Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) (Interscope) {1}: cos:+ --
  159. The Soda Crackers: The Soda Crackers () {1}: scm:+ --
  160. Steel Saddle: Steel Saddle () {1}: scm:* --
  161. Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives: Space Junk (Snakefarm) {1}: scm:+ --
  162. Tennessee Jet: Ranchero () {1}: scm:+ --
  163. West Texas Exiles: 8000 Days () {1}: pm_a:24 --
  164. Wynn Williams: Country Therapy () {1}: scm:+ --
  165. Bailey Zimmerman: Different Night Same Rodeo () {1}: xjdc:* --