This list of 12 tracks represents some of the best new releases over the past year, as well as a couple from 2022. Genres include Americana, singer-songwriter, alternative, reggae, and electronic. Special merit goes to three singer-songwriter artists—Duo Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Peter Bradley Adams, and Sarah Jarosz—who each have two tracks chosen from their 2024 CDs for this list.
“Lights Go Down” by Hayden James & SIDEPIECE. Hayden James is an Australian DJ, songwriter, and record producer. “Lights” comes from his 2022 CD Lifted, his second studio album in collaboration with producer James Sidepiece. This steady, four-beat dance tune is enhanced by a syncopated, repeated three-chord pattern. Notice the ghosted background voices singing descending unison notes. Very cool stuff!
“Die Young” by Rattlesnake Milk. This rising Texas-plains foursome developed its unique tone while singing stories of desperation in rural honky-tonk bars in the Panhandle area of the state. The tune’s rich acoustic guitar foundation is augmented by spare, higher-register dobro guitar notes that open up a wide Western soundscape of colors. The vocals project a complicated mix of pain and longing.
“Pinie” (feat. orbit) by Parra for Cuva. Nicolas Demuth is a German-born electronic music composer and DJ whose stage name is Parra for Cuva. He has a long artistic relationship with singer- guitarist Anna Naklab. Mimose, his 2024 CD, has garnered positive reviews, with a high-tech sonic ambiance that builds an aura of mystery. In this song, we find a three-note staggered bass line that gives the listener more interesting syncopated rhythms and includes wonderfully skilled electronic manipulations, too.
“Empty Trainload of Sky” and “Lawman” by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. On their 2024 CD Woodland, the Grammy-winning duo delivers another stellar set of performances. Welch’s songwriting and unique vocals soar atop Rawlings’s musical genius and production talents. I especially like the intricate blending of vocal harmonies. Rawlings has been praised for his intriguing use of guitar counterpoint lines. On “Lawman,” savor Gillian’s splendid delivery of legato-flavored vocals that flow without the need to overarticulate lyrics.
“Right Back to It” by Waxahatchee (feat. MJ Lenderman). Waxahatchee is an American indie music collaborative surrounding Katie Crutchfield’s straightforward Southern vocals. The collaborative name was chosen to honor a creek near her home in Alabama. Asheville-based Lenderman contributed guitar and vocals on this Tigers Blood CD. Check out the video images for this song that reinforce the sense of no-hurry Southern living.
“Take the High Road” and “When the Lights Go Out” by Sarah Jarosz. Both songs come from the 2024 album Polaroid Lovers. Sarah continues to prove herself to be a master of Americana compositions and musical delivery. On “High Road” we hear a driving, propulsive set of repeated notes and chords and beautifully matched vocal harmonies. Listen to Sarah’s nuanced instrumental on mandocello guitar, an eight-string converted guitar. On “Lights” we hear Sarah telling a romantic story using her smooth vocal style in a sweet Southern drawl, all the while sliding and bending melodic notes.
“Miles Away” and “Cold Hand” by Peter Bradley Adams. Adams is a folk Americana singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. Both of these songs are down- to midtempo, with leading acoustic guitar, slide guitar, and piano brought together with excellent sound mixing. His distinctively smooth, charming, and understated vocals lure the listener into his aura.
“Look Up” by Ringo Starr with Molly Tuttle. The title track from the ex-Beatle’s upbeat 2025 CD benefits from the vocal and bluegrass guitar and banjo talents of Molly Tuttle, who has received numerous awards. Performing seems to come so easily for both of these artists.
“Smooth Sailin” by Stylie. In the title track from the 2024 CD, this Colorado band has created their own signature style, marked by synthesizers, heavy drums, fat bass, and melodic vocal hooks. I would love to hear them paired with the similar-sounding group Stick Figure.
To hear full free tracks, go to my Spotify page under DJ Andy Bargerstock and look for the list name “2025 Winter Fringe Toast Music.”