![SPOTLIGHT: The Honky-Tonks Are For All [ESSAY]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://storage.ghost.io/c/18/d0/18d08e58-3b1b-4720-ae25-a31b44e69d4b/content/images/2026/06/EMily-Nenni-Spotlight-1.png)
SPOTLIGHT: The Honky-Tonks Are For All [ESSAY]
Emily Nenni, the May 2026 Spotlight Artist for No Depression, released her new LP "Movin' Shoes" on May 1 via New West Records. Raised in a musically diverse San Jose household, she absorbed rock, hip‑hop, country, and classic girl‑group sounds before writing her own material. Her songwriting blends three‑chord country honesty with the melodic hooks of 1960s‑70s girl groups. The album marks a confident step forward for an artist who grew up listening to a wide‑range soundtrack and now channels that eclecticism into a cohesive record.
NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Wild Coyote: Cat Clyde
Canadian singer‑songwriter Cat Clyde used a brief break between shows in Brooklyn and Cambridge to debut two songs from her fourth album, Mud Blood Bone. In a video for No Depression, she explained the album’s creation, highlighting producer Drew Vandenberg’s...
ALBUM REVIEW: Futurebirds Take Flight on ‘Far Out Country’
Futurebirds, the Athens‑Georgia trio known for high‑energy live shows, have released the double‑album “Far Out Country.” The 22‑track record blends classic Americana with modern indie‑rock production, reflecting the band’s evolution from college‑room jam sessions to seasoned songwriters. Lyrically, the album...
ALBUM REVIEW: Joshua Ray Walker Calls His Pain By Name On 'Ain’t Dead Yet'
Dallas singer‑songwriter Joshua Ray Walker releases "Ain’t Dead Yet", the concluding album of his cancer‑survival trilogy. The record blends mid‑tempo, pensive Americana with lyrical reflections on mortality, including a near‑drowning episode near Corpus Christi. Walker’s previous albums "Tropicana" (2025) and...
Marisa Anderson Brings a World of ‘UnAmerican’ Music To Her Guitar
Guitar virtuoso Marisa Anderson has completed the first track for *The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music, Vol. 1*, arranging the 18‑minute Sufi qawwali “Hamd”—originally performed by Pakistan’s Sabri Brothers—into a solo guitar piece. The original composition features a large ensemble of...
ALBUM REVIEW: Ben Chapman’s ‘Feet On Fire’ Is a Powerful Gospel of Growing Up
Ben Chapman, known for alt‑country, releases "Feet On Fire" after becoming husband and father. The 12‑track album reflects his transition to parenthood, blending gospel‑infused storytelling with his signature sound. Recorded in real time during 2025, the record captures both intimate...
![SPOTLIGHT: Emily Nenni - "What Have I Done Wrong" [VIDEO]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://storage.ghost.io/c/18/d0/18d08e58-3b1b-4720-ae25-a31b44e69d4b/content/images/2026/05/EMily-Nenni-Spotlight.png)
SPOTLIGHT: Emily Nenni - "What Have I Done Wrong" [VIDEO]
Emily Nenni, the singer‑songwriter behind the new LP Movin’ Shoes, released the album on May 1 through New West Records. She is the featured Spotlight Artist for May 2026 in No Depression, a leading indie‑folk publication. A recent video shows her performing a...
ALBUM REVIEW: With ‘Fondness, Etc.,’ Shakey Graves Reembraces His Lo-Fi Roots
Shakey Graves, the moniker of Alejandro Rose‑Garcia, drops his latest album "Fondness, Etc." as a deliberate return to the lo‑fi, garage‑style sound that launched his career. The record contrasts sharply with the polished production of his 2023 effort "Movie of...
ALBUM REVIEW: Ramsey Thornton’s Debut LP 'I Called It' Reveals a Fully-Formed Folk Fusion Songwriter and Composer
Ramsey Thornton’s debut album *I Called It* showcases a fully formed folk‑fusion style, blending fingerstyle guitar, jazz‑informed percussion, and banjo‑derived textures. The record’s circular song structures reinforce lyrical themes of relational tension, creating a cohesive artistic statement. Drawing on his...
ALBUM REVIEW: Peter Frampton Comes Alive Again on 'Carry the Light'
Peter Frampton returns with "Carry the Light," his first album of all‑new material in 16 years. He teams up with his son Julian, who co‑writes and co‑produces every track, and enlists a star‑studded lineup that includes Sheryl Crow, Graham Nash, Tom Morello, Bill Evans...
ALBUM REVIEW: Kevin Morby Walks Off Into the Sunset on the Expansive ‘Little Wide Open’
Kevin Morby’s eighth album, *Little Wide Open*, concludes his Midwest‑to‑Los Angeles trilogy and signals a personal turning point as he prepares for fatherhood. Produced by Aaron Dessner, the record blends expansive indie‑rock arrangements with intimate lyricism, offering a more relaxed tone...
In the Deep End With Taj Mahal
Veteran blues icon Taj Mahal, now 84, has issued his latest album *Time*, marking his first collaboration in 18 years with the Phantom Blues Band. The record includes a never‑released Bill Withers composition, underscoring Mahal’s knack for unearthing hidden gems....
BONUS TRACK: New Allison Russell LP, The Mavericks Tribute Tour, and More Roots Music News
Allison Russell announced her third solo album, *In The Hour of Chaos*, set for release on July 10 through Fantasy Records and featuring a roster of twelve guest artists including Norah Jones and Joy Oladokun. The Mavericks will embark on...
ALBUM REVIEW: Ashley McBryde’s ‘Wild’ Offers Raucous Redemption and Hope
Ashley McBryde releases her fifth studio album, Wild, a raucous blend of rock and country. The record opens with “Rattlesnake Preacher,” a snarling rocker that pairs screaming guitars with gospel‑tinged lyrics about a fire‑and‑brimstone preacher. Tracks like “Arkansas Mud” showcase...
THE READING ROOM: Revisiting Dave Mason’s ‘Only You Know and I Know’
Dave Mason, the understated guitarist and songwriter who shaped classic rock, died on April 19, 2026. Known for his crisp solos and subtle riffs, Mason contributed to bands like Traffic and released solo albums such as *Alone Together* and *Headkeeper*....