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ALBUM REVIEW: Bernie Leadon Right on Time with ‘Too Late to be Cool’

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 16h

It’s been too long since we’ve heard new music from Bernie Leadon. On his newest record, which showcases his wide-ranging instrumental talents and lyrical insights, it's good to have him back.

ALBUM REVIEW: Bernie Leadon Right on Time with ‘Too Late to be Cool’

It’s been too long since we’ve heard new music from Bernie Leadon. Leadon, of course, helped usher in Americana music during his days with the Flying Burrito Brothers and Dillard & Clark, and…

ALBUM REVIEW: Madi Diaz Mines Her Grief on 'Fatal Optimist'

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 1d

Stripped to essentials – acoustic guitar and vocal – Fatal Optimist spotlights Madi Diaz as she vacillates between confidence and doubt.

Read the full review of Madi Diaz's new record Fatal Optimist at the link below:
nodepression.org/album-review...

✍️ : Jon Amen
🎸 : Madi Diaz

On her seventh album, Madi Diaz questions her identity in the wake of a relationship’s end. Stripped to essentials – acoustic guitar and vocal – Fatal Optimist spotlights Diaz as she vacillates…

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 1d

Overall, the world is a mess and Josh Fortenbery is tired. Best case? Everything goes to hell, but he saves his dog.

ALBUM REVIEW: Live-Room Warmth Cushions Modern Spiritual Exhaustion on Josh Fortenbery’s 'Tidy Memorial'

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THROUGH THE LENS: California’s Ohana Festival and Rhode Island’s Rhythm & Roots Festival Light Up the Skies with Roots Music

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 1d

THROUGH THE LENS: California’s Ohana Festival and Rhode Island’s Rhythm & Roots Festival Light Up the Skies with Roots Music

Check out photos from both fests by Liza Orozco and Ken Abrams respectively at the link below:

nodepression.org/through-the-...

Official website of No Depression's stories, columns, album reviews, artist voices, and roots music journalism

QUEER COUNTRY: Will You Let Queer Country Be Outlawed?

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No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 2d

Under proposed policies from President Trump’s administration, the term “outlaw” country could become literal for queer country artists.

nodepression.org/queer-countr...

✍️: Rachel Cholst
📷 : Jessye DeSilva, photographed by Laura Schneider

“Outlaw country” often evokes a certain rough-and-tumble (cis white) dude — The kind of person who doesn’t take any shit and isn’t interested in conforming to Music Row’s ideals of what it means to…

BONUS TRACKS: Spotify CEO to Step Down, Bandcamp Fridays Return, and More Roots Music News

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No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 3d

Daniel Ek, the founder of Spotify, is stepping down, NPR officially has no access to federal funding, and Madi Cunningham is releasing an album on Friday.

Read BONUS TRACKS, our weekly roundup of roots news, below!

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Daniel Ek, the founder of streaming conglomerate Spotify, announced on Tuesday that he's stepping down as CEO. He will, however, remain on the executive level as the executive chair. Ek received…

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 5d

SUPER SALE LAUNCHING TODAY!

Starting today, you can grab remaining print editions of No Depression from our web store for $5 a pop – a total and complete steal, if you ask us.

Click here to snag yourself a copy (or two, or three, or seven): store.nodepression.com

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 5d

📸 PHOTO OF THE WEEK: David Rawlings, The Civic Center Little Theater,
Charleston, West Virginia, September 27, 2025.

📸 by Amos Perrine

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 6d

Somehow, September is over. But while it's starting to get darker, look on the bright side! Our Best of September playlist is full of warm jams from roots artists who will help you savor the fall vibes.

Check out the full playlist below:

nodepression.org/no-depressio...

SPOTLIGHT: The Ache Is Evidence [ESSAY]

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 8d

Amanda Shires is No Depression's Spotlight artist for September. To close out the month, she shares a powerful essay with No Depression about her newest album – exclusive to paying members only.

nodepression.org/spotlight-th...

Editor's Note: Amanda Shires is No Depression's Spotlight Artist for September 2025. Learn more about the Nashville fiddler, singer-songwriter, poet, and painter, and her new album Nobody's…

THROUGH THE LENS: Healing Appalachia & Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Stake Their Claim on Roots Music

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No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 8d

THROUGH THE LENS: Healing Appalachia & Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Stake Their Claim on Roots Music

Check out photos from both events below!

nodepression.org/through-the-...

Official website of No Depression's stories, columns, album reviews, artist voices, and roots music journalism

SPOTLIGHT: Amanda Shires - 'Lose It For A While' [VIDEO]

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No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 9d

On her new album, Amanda Shires explores all corners of the emotional journey of ending one chapter and beginning another. Shires records an exclusive take of "Lose It For a While" for No Depression readers" – check it out below.

nodepression.org/spotlight-am...

Editor's Note: Amanda Shires is No Depression's Spotlight Artist for September 2025. Learn more about the Nashville fiddler, singer-songwriter, poet, and painter, and her new album Nobody's…

ALBUM REVIEW: Robert Plant Climbs a Stairway of Heavenly Harmony on Latest Release 'Saving Grace'

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 9d

"Plant and company's latest outing, named for the group itself, has similarities to the Appalachian stylings of his work with Krauss, but with a bit more Middle Eastern and African flavors."

Read Grant Britt's review below + subscribe to ND today for more!

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It's been a while since Robert Plant stood bare-chested onstage alongside Jimmy Page, holding forth about black dogs and golden staircases. After Led Zeppelin broke up in 1980, the two stars reunited…

ALBUM REVIEW: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram's 'Hard Road' Explore Past and Present With Equal Fluidity

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 9d

ALBUM REVIEW: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram's 'Hard Road' Explore Past and Present With Equal Fluidity

✍️ : Grant Britt

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram was already earning a reputation as a youthful tender of the blues when he made Kingfish, his 2019 debut on Alligator records. Just 18 years old at the time, Ingram…

BONUS TRACKS: New Music from Trey Hensley, Theo Lawrence and Melissa Carper, The Mountain Goats, and More Roots Music News

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 9d

BONUS TRACKS: New Music from Trey Hensley, Theo Lawrence and Melissa Carper, The Mountain Goats, and More Roots Music News

Subscribe to ND's newsletter today to get BONUS TRACKS, our weekly roundup of Roots news, straight to your inbox!

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Trey Hensley, who recently won the International Bluegrass Music Association's award for Guitar Player of the Year, released a new single, "Can't Outrun the Blues," and teased a new LP due out in…

ALBUM REVIEW: With 'Finer Things,' Clover County Blends Humility and Talent

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 12d

"Schiano spotlights her songs rather than herself. That’s a rather uncommon and subtly refreshing quality in a singer-songwriter who is clearly ready to woo and welcome a large audience."

ALBUM REVIEW: With 'Finer Things,' Clover County Blends Humility and Talent

With her debut LP, Finer Things, A.G. Schiano, aka Clover County, reflects on love and relational dynamics, sublimating a restlessness fueled by big dreams. Building on her 2024 EP, Porch Lights,…

In Its 14th Year, FreshGrass | North Adams 2025 Is Neither 'Old & In The Way'

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 12d

The 14th annual FreshGrass Festival returned to the beautiful Berkshires last weekend for another three days of roots music and fun! Head to the link below to hear some staff highlights from the event:

Official website of No Depression's stories, columns, album reviews, artist voices, and roots music journalism

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Darling Blue,’ Marcus King Finds the Light

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 13d

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Darling Blue,’ Marcus King Finds the Light

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Night and day. If you were to line up Marcus King’s 2024 solo release, Mood Swings, against his latest effort, Darling Blue, that’s what you’d experience, the radical difference between an artist…

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 13d

"Living in the Present with John Prine" is a new book that offers an affectionate, candid, and vibrant glimpse of one writer's friendship with one of the greatest songwriters of our generation.

Read this week's THE READING ROOM column:

nodepression.org/the-reading-...

ALBUM REVIEW: Jeff Tweedy’s ‘Twilight Override’ May Not Be Life-Changing, But It Sure Gets Things Done

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 14d

"Did the world need new music from Jeff Tweedy? Sure. Did it need 30 songs at once? Probably not. But there have been far worse sins than this compendium. "

ALBUM REVIEW: Jeff Tweedy’s ‘Twilight Override’ May Not Be Life-Changing, But It Sure Gets Things Done

nodepression.org/album-review...

In the forward to Jeff Tweedy’s latest solo release, Twilight Override, the alt-folk prophet speaks of his art with such intensity, likening the God-like act of creating to a snapping maw, chomping…

ALBUM REVIEW: Ramona and the Holy Smokes Smoke the Dance Floor

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 14d

"On their dynamic self-titled debut, Ramona and the Holy Smokes deliver some rollicking honky-tonk barroom ramblers interspersed with smoky lounge ballads."

ALBUM REVIEW: Ramona and the Holy Smokes Smoke the Dance Floor

Become a member and read below!

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On their dynamic self-titled debut, Ramona and the Holy Smokes deliver some rollicking honky-tonk barroom ramblers interspersed with smoky lounge ballads. Singer Ramona Martinez’s powerful vocals…

ALBUM REVIEW: Neko Case’s ‘Neon Grey Midnight Green’ is an Epilogue to Survival

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 14d

"She can craft a melody that levitates and swerves in ways not heard before, with phrasing that leaves mouths agape in wonder, a wallop of emotion in just a few seconds."

Become a member today to unlock this review of Neko Case's new record, and much more.

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Neko Case is a fighter, as evidenced by decades of some of the most subversive songwriting in a generation, and her force majeure of a memoir, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You, released…

THROUGH THE LENS: Bumbershoot 2025 Was a Musical Adventure

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 15d

Peter Dervin and contributor Kirk Stauffer captured moments from this year's Bumbershoot Music and Arts festival in Seattle, Washington over Labor Day Weekend. Check them out below in this week's THROUGH THE LENS column!

nodepression.org/through-the-...

Official website of No Depression's stories, columns, album reviews, artist voices, and roots music journalism

BONUS TRACKS: IBMA Winners, Steve Earle's Opry Induction, and More Roots Music News

No Depression - Roots Music Journalism @nodepression.bsky.social · 19d

Check out this week's BONUS TRACKS for highlights from the 36th annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which took place this week in Chattanooga (Hint: one winner rhymes with Strilly Bings).

Subscribe today to get BONUS TRACKS in your inbox!

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The 36th annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) took place this week in Chattanooga. Its Industry Awards, presented this year by the Benwood Foundation and voted on by bluegrass…