Our Top Six Albums August 2025
Top Six Album Releases
August 2025
Our Top Six Albums August 2025
By Rob Dickens
Ben Nichols
In The Heart Of The Mountain
Liberty & Lament
25 July 2025
This is Lucero frontman Ben Nichols‘ first solo album since 2009’s The Last Pale Light In The West. The graphic track titles reflect a connected and dramatic imagery, and the masterful parallels of gripping melodies and steeped lyrics are inexorable. I cannot stop playing this record. It’s mainly Nicols on acoustic guitar and vocals, with the occasional electric guitar (see the title track for an example of the latter’s impact) and percussion, which makes for maximum effect. The album was recorded at Southern Grooves studio in Memphis with the famed Matt Ross-Spang as the recording and mixing engineer.
The Far West
Everything We Thought We Wanted
Blackbird Record Label
26 September 2025
This is the third studio album from Los Angeles-based Americana band The Far West. Actually, we are lucky to have Everything We Thought We Wanted, as it battled the face of the pandemic, lost masters and a wildfire. The album is an exemplar of the classic alt. country band sound – arresting lead vocals, full country rock sound and terrific harmonies. It is a sonic delight. The album was self-produced and mixed/mastered by Dave Trumfio (Wilco, Grandaddy), recorded at the School of Audio Engineering in Hollywood and finished at guitarist Aaron Bakker’s home studio in 2020 before it burned down.
Via KG Music Press
Joselyn & Don
Lost And Found Highway
Independent
3 October 2025
This is the third album from the Montana-raised and Los Angeles-based duo. Joselyn and Don (Joselyn Wilkinson and Don Barrozo) have a timeless sound and perfectly measured stance. There’s alt. country, country soul and West Coast folk, all painted with a vivid and stylish brush. The musicians on Lost & Found Highway are all heavy lifters – Greg Leisz (pedal steel), Bob Glaub (bass), Mauricio “Fritz” Lewak (drums) and guest vocalists Chris Pierce, Cristina Vane, and Abby Posner. “This record is about the moments between milestones. It’s for anyone who’s stared out a car window and wondered how they got here, and where they’re headed next.” – Wilkinson.
Via KG Music Press
Patty Griffin
Crown Of Roses
PGM Recordings Label/Thirty Tigers
25 July 2025
The double-Grammy Austin, Texas songstress triumphs again with Crown Of Roses, her eleventh studio album (and first in six years). A thoughtful and introspective collection, the cover features her mother on her wedding day surrounded by artwork depicting the Maine woods of her childhood. Among many treasures, there’s blues and gospel, jazz tinges and that trademark rhythm guitar. The album was produced impeccably by longtime collaborator Craig Ross and features her trusted band members David Pulkingham (guitar) and Michael Longoria (drums). There’s also a vocal cameo by Robert Plant.
Via Jo Corbett Publicity
Tami Neilsen
Neon Cowgirl
Outside Music
11 July 2025
Tami Neilsen, Canadian-born and now New Zealand native, has one of the most powerful and nuanced voices on the planet. Neon Cowgirl is her tenth album and may well be her finest. Beautifully arranged and featuring a wonderful palette of genres, the album also provides telling contributions from Neil Finn (see clip below), Ashley McBryde, Shelly Fairchild, Grace Bowers and JD McPherson.
Via Jo Corbett Publicity
The Wildmans
Longtime Friend
New West Records
11 July 2025
No, it is not bad grammar. The Wildmans are brother-sister Aila and Elisha Wildman, who hail not far from Floyd, Virginia (read about our visit there) in the heart of the Blue Mountains. A recent signing to fabled label New West Records has led to Longtime Friend, another superbly crafted and faithful ensemble of genuine folk, alt-country and old-time soul. The twelve-song set was produced by Nicholas Falk and recorded by Chris Bittner at Applehead Recording in Woodstock and tastefully augmented with contributions from Dori Freeman, Jeff Hill, Sam Leslie, Sam Fribush, Redd Volkaert and Falk as well.
ADVERTISE WITH LISTENING THROUGH THE LENS
More Music Adventures Await!
***
Our Top Six Albums August 2025
Our Top Six Albums August 2025
Our Top Six Albums August 2025
