Country & Folk

New album: Grapes of Grain || A Muted Hey

Understated charm in abundance

By / / Country & Folk, Indie Pop, Jangle Pop / Leave a Comment

There’s something instantly appealing about the title A Muted Hey. Thankfully, it’s attached to a record that’s equally easy to like: Grapes of Grain deliver another finely crafted collection of bittersweet songs that comfortably mingle jangly indie pop with warm alt-country. On this fourth album (from their back catalogue, 2024’s Painted Windows stands out for me), the Dutch band embraces a more rustic palette than before, weaving banjo, mandolin, and lap steel through the arrangements.

The ten new, original tracks sound spacious and clear, leaving room for occasional offbeat flourishes, always centered around a heartfelt melody and engaging vocals. There Are Too Many Words in This World, states the opening tune from which the record derives its title, but I wouldn’t have wanted to miss any of it. This is an unhurried and rewarding listen full of detail.



A Muted Hey is out digitally via Drag Days. Featuring Alexis Vos (vocals, guitar, bass) and Berend Jan Ike (vocals, guitars, bass, drums, piano, lap steel), with Franc Timmerman (drums, guitar, bass, percussion), Harm van Sleen (pedal steel, violin), Stefan Breuer (keys, guitar, backing vocals), Lara Taska (backing vocals), and Allie Crummy (backing vocals).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Domenic Marcantonio || Earthbound Spaceman

A charming blend of acoustic warmth and finely crafted songwriting, with hooks hiding in plain sight

By / / Blues & Roots, Country & Folk, Garage Rock / Leave a Comment

Domenic Marcantonio is the gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Green Bay, Wisconsin-based power pop band Beach Patrol, but solo he draws from a different well. His new album, titled Earthbound Spaceman, can be found in the lo-fi layer of the garage pop corner, but on the rootsy side, where a door is left ajar to let other influences seep in. If you try to imagine Dead Moon basking in the afternoon sun rather than prowling after midnight, you’ll have a rough idea of ​​what awaits here.

Across these ten tracks, acoustic guitars do most of the heavy lifting, paired with distinctive vocals that give every song its own personality. What starts as a pleasant listen—despite or thanks to the DIY feel—gradually reveals itself to be surprisingly addictive, with hooks and rhythms that burrow into your subconscious, and you catch yourself reaching for the repeat button. The lyrics are clever and accessible, while the choruses practically dare you not to join in. Even when you’re not singing along, chances are you’ll be whistling the melodies (especially in Strange Transformation), nodding your head, tapping your foot, or more likely, all three at once.




Earthbound Spaceman is out digitally and on CD. Also featuring Mirra Laes (vocals) on two tracks.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Upupayāma || Honestly Flowers

A masterclass in globetrotting psychedelia and rhythmic funk

By / / Country & Folk, Psych / Leave a Comment

“Honesty Flowers was born from listening to lots of funk music from all over the world, lots and lots of African music, and from listening to myself as I spent whole nights playing all kinds of percussion instruments. I would fall into a sort of trance and play the same rhythm for hours on congas or on a djembe. It’s an album that was born above all from the beauty of being able to narrate the unknown and recognise yourself in it, which could translate into telling stories and bringing them to life.”

This is what Italian multi-instrumentalist Alessio Ferarri says about the fourth studio album under his Upupayāma moniker, an epic double LP with 11 songs in 1 hour and 11 minutes. It’s a sprawling masterpiece that pushes his signature brew of organic psych-rock and global grooves into percussive, trance-inducing, and distorted territory. Listeners can expect a heady, hedonistic experience through rhythmic African funk, scorched-fuzz riffing, winding motorik jams, and pastoral acid-folk.

From a Mongolian prairie on horseback towards an unknown destination (Fliiim / Laliīmph) to boogie played by some imaginary crazy and slightly pissed-off Peruvians (Mystic Chords of Memory), from a ritual dance from deep Africa (Yuya) to two sounds that mirror each other, allowing past and future echoes to be here and now (Sound Mirrors), and so on—you and I couldn’t make it up. Honesty Flowers is a clever and hypnotic trip across continents and the cosmos. Mind-expanding.



Honestly Flowers—mixed by Chris Smith, mastered by Joseph Carra—is out digitally, on CD-R and vinyl 2-LP, through Fuzz Club Records. Written, performed, and recorded entirely by Alessio Ferarri (guitars, keys, flute, sitar, and an arsenal of percussion).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Discogs || Fuzz Club

New album: Zuffalo || Flock of the Town

Psychedelic grooves for wandering hearts

By / / Country & Folk, Funk & Soul, Psych / Leave a Comment

Flock of the Town, the third full-length album by Toronto eight-piece Zuffalo, comes across as a vibrant live show full of magical spirit and playful fun. Its eleven original songs are bursting with funky basslines, soulful keys, warm harmonies, and exploratory guitar work, drawing from psychedelic rock, retro soul, and rootsy jam-band traditions—a unique combination, grooving and colorful.

Tight songwriting explores the tension between modern anxieties and the desire to break free from them, whether through self-discovery, human connection, or simply stepping outside the daily grind. Nevertheless, an optimistic thread of growth prevails, reminding us that even in uncertain times we can embrace life’s strange beauty: “You’re either stuck in a bird cage or you’re flying// Into the morning light.”

Even more striking are the sun-drenched melodies, commanding vocals, and spacious production that lift the whole record into an effortlessly good mood. It’s on the two longest cuts, Tension (06:47) and Bloom (07:21), that this amazing band really stretches out and shows the full depth of what they are capable of.



Flock of the Town—produced by Mackenzie Jordan and Zuffalo—is out digitally, on CD and vinyl LP (self-released). Featuring Kim Manning )piano, rhodes, organ, vocals), Mikey Vukovich (bass, guitar, vocals), Mackenzie Jordan (guitar, backing vocals), Sean Steele (guitar, vocals), David Celia (guitar), Daniel Honsberger (guitar), Steve Lavery (synth, organ), and Eric Vanier (drums).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New EP: Anna McClellan || Space, You Big Cloud

The indie folk of Anna McClellan hits just a little harder

By / / Country & Folk / Leave a Comment

In a crowded indie folk landscape, Anna McClellan continues to stand out as one of the most compelling songwriters around. I became a fan through 2024’s Electric Bouquet, and Space, You Big Cloud adds five more songs to the growing pile of reasons why.

What makes McClellan special is the absence of pretense. These songs come from a real and deeply personal place, delivered with a vulnerability that never comes across as performative. She uses her voice in fascinating ways too, especially on Restless, stretching and layering it fearlessly. McClellan doesn’t seem interested in perfection so much as finding the exact sound a song needs to tell its story.

A captivating EP that rewards close listening. Out now on cassette through Father/Daughter Records.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

Dusted || The Best New Cover Songs Of May 2026

By / / Alternative Rock, Country & Folk, Funk & Soul, Garage Rock, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Power Pop, Psych, Punk, Surf / Leave a Comment

Not all new music is really new, as many artists cover songs. Sometimes these are songs by their favorite artists, e.g. as a tribute to such a musical hero for a special reason, or they simply feel that a song deserves to be dusted and polished to reacquaint fans with great songs from the past. Other times, bands cover songs as a parody. Regardless of intent, some of those cover versions are so good or so much fun, we’d like to put a spotlight on them. Chosen from a wide range, here are—in a kind of random order—a bunch of successful covers from last month—links to pages where you can add them to your wantlist included.

The compilation Where The Willow And The Dogwood Grow – Words And Music By Tom Waits And Kathleen Brennan was probably the biggest cover release of this period, but we are leaving it out of this overview due to its longer-existing inclusions—there is more than enough brand-new material to choose from.

I’m A Man (The Spencer Davis Group) by Datura4 — from I’m A Man 7″ (Rogue Records)

Song 2 (Blur) by Monk — from No Gods EP (Dine Alone Records)

I’m Waiting For The Man (The Velvet Underground) by The Routes — from Play 10″ [Chaputa! Records / Ghost Highway Recordings]

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The Loose Ends || May 2026

By / / Alternative Rock, Blues & Roots, Country & Folk, Funk & Soul, Garage Rock, Glam Rock, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Power Pop, Psych, Punk, Surf / Leave a Comment

There are more wantlist-worthy releases than time to cover them all. Starting this year, Loose Ends is our monthly fix for the great records that slipped through the cracks. Expect a key track and quick take on each release (40+ this month!), and a link to add it to your shelves.

Above Me || Soften The Blows
Debut LP on Dandy Boy Records from this non average dream pop project by Rick Altieri (Blue Ocean, Aluminum).

Big Nothing || Big Nothing
The third album from this indie punk/alt country/guitar pop/classic rock a-bit-of-everything band from Philadelphia just dropped their third album (with a new lineup) on Dead Broke Records. It is another fine slice of warmblooded, bighearted basement pop.

Blitzer || The New Conspiracy
Ten fierce blasts of post-punk on this exciting debut LP from Berlin trio Blitzer. Urgent, tense, and full of forward momentum. Out now through Mangel Records.


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New album: Trash Kickers || Way Out, Somehow

Trash Kickers make heartland rock feel alive again

By / / Country & Folk, Indie Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Chicago quartet Trash Kickers sound like the kind of band you stumble into at a bar and end up talking about for the rest of the week. On Way Out, Somehow, they win you over gradually but decisively, powered not just by sheer conviction but by songwriting that taps into that ragged, heartfelt Paul Westerberg spirit.

Their sound feels deeply American in the best possible way, like a loose and well practiced blend of rock-’n’-roll, punk rock, and country music all crammed into the same battered van. Nothing here feels overly polished or calculated. These songs breathe, stumble forward, and come alive through the chemistry of people clearly playing their hearts out together.

If you need a reminder of why guitar bands still matter, put Trash Kickers near the top of your listening pile. The ringing riffs, the rough edges, and that killer voice will do the rest. Have fun rocking out!



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Continuing Education || Cont.Ed.

Turning ordinary scenes into revelations about life, memory, and vulnerability

By / / Country & Folk, Indie Pop / Leave a Comment

Continuing Education is a new indie pop project from Dallas natives Evan Smith (Bleachers) and Mack Price (Paul Cauthen). Their debut album Cont.Ed. is like a summer drive through their city, with the windows down and the radio tuned somewhere between outlaw country, yacht-soul, and sun-faded indie pop. The nine tracks are loose, polished, and warm, and although their self-described “Texas Tropicalia” has a quirky touch, it still comes across as a fully realized mood.

The lyrics have a strong thread of finding meaning in the everyday, whether in birdwatching, driving an old car, or working through routine chaos while the world feels unstable. The stories move between intimate self-reflection and wider social unease, often suggesting that beauty, love, and clarity are only briefly grasped in passing moments. Beneath that poetic wordplay and the immaculate production lies music overflowing with heart, hooks, and hard-earned perspective.



Cont.Ed., recorded by Casey DiIorio, is out digitally via Discos Sangrial. Also featuring Luke Callaway (drums), Frank Locrasto (keys), Nigel Newton (vibraphone), Sydney Price (backing vocals), Mack Price, Sr. (guitar), and Sean Hutchinson (percussion).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Zimmer Grandioso || Year of The Rat

Ragged slacker rock searching for comfort in all the wrong places

By / / Alternative Rock, Country & Folk, Indie Rock / Leave a Comment

“I’m on the street again // Lost sight of all my friends // I need your love now it’s the year // Of the rat” (from Badlands). The debut full-length from Swedish collective Zimmer Grandioso treats loneliness, addiction, nostalgia, and emotional drift with a casual warmth, where cigarettes, cheap beer, beach houses, and rain-soaked streets become symbols of both collapse and connection. Beneath the ragged charm of the twelve songs runs a recurring longing for refuge: someone to return to, a town to leave behind, or a fleeting moment worth holding onto before it disappears.

The Gothenburg-based musicians pull from a deep crate of influences and careful construct them into a sound that is somewhere between slacker pop and heartland rock, but of the rare kind with a rich instrumentation and a cinematic glow. This is the kind of record that makes lonely nights feel meaningful and ordinary moments feel unforgettable: “Everybody drowns in the goldfish bowl // From time to time” (from Walk ’em Down).



Year of The Rat is out digitally and on vinyl LP through Muther Music. Featuring Tobias Ringsten (vocals), Nora Elster (vocals), Adam Johansson (guitar), Gustav Påhlsson (guitar), Hampus Högdahl (guitar), Johan Reiman (bass), Mikael Högdahl (saxophone), and August Johansson (drums).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

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