The highly-anticipated bluegrass project from Sturgill Simpson is officially here. Affectionately titled Cuttin’ Grass, the new album was recorded at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville, with the help of his drummer Miles Miller, producer David Ferguson, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, bassist Mike Bub, and more.
Just a few weeks after the surprise release of the Cuttin' Grass (Vol. 1): Butcher Shoppe Sessions album which Uproxx called “the most sublime and delightful music he’s yet made on record” Sturgill Simpson returns with the next installment of his bluegrass series, Cuttin' Grass (Vol. 2): The Cowboy Arms Sessions. The genre-defying singer/songwriter reconvened an A-Team of acoustic players (now dubbed "The Hillbilly Avengers") for another round of reinterpretations of his catalogue, this time largely focusing on 2016's A Sailor's Guide to Earth, which won the Grammy for Country Album of the Year and was nominated for Album of the Year. This volume also includes "Jesus Boogie," originally performed by Simpson's first band, Sunday Valley, and two previously unreleased songs, "Tennessee" and "Hobo Cartoon," the latter of which was co-written with the incomparable Merle Haggard who once said that Simpson was "about the only thing I've heard that was worth listening to in a long time."
Inspired by such classic concept albums as Willie Nelson's Red-Headed Stranger, Sturgill Simpson's The Ballad of Dood & Juanita is the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter's third album in twelve months, and his most ambitious project to date. Written and recorded in less than a week, and featuring the same ace musicians who played on last year's Cuttin' Grass albums, the record tells a classic American story of a Civil War-era couple torn apart by violence and reunited by love—what Simpson calls "a simple tale of either redemption or revenge."
The fourth album from the country outlaw is another left-turn with synth-rock at its scuzziest, boogie-rock at its cheesiest, all held together by Simpson’s fearless songwriting.
Back when he released High Top Mountain in 2013, the retro sensibilities of Sturgill Simpson seemed to be rooted solely in outlaw country: he swaggered like the second coming of Waylon Jennings, a man on a mission to restore muscle and drama to country music. Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, his 2014 sophomore set, was a curve ball revealing just how unorthodox his rulebook was. After nearly two decades of alternative country doubling down on po-faced authenticity where simpler was better, Simpson embraced indulgence, pushing new wave, psychedelia, and digital-age saturation, all in an attempt to add the cosmic back into American music.
2017 Grammy Nominees is a varied mix of the best releases of 2016, culled from the main nomination categories. From the Beyonce/Jack White collaboration "Don't Hurt Yourself" – her first nomination in the Best Rock Performance category – to darkhorse Sturgill Simpson's "Brace for Impact (Live a Little)," the selections on this 21-track compilation include a full range of genres. Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris represent the new generation of country singer/songwriters, while R&B newcomer Anderson.Paak and earnest Danish outfit Lukas Graham cover the pop-oriented end of the class of 2016. Ubiquitous hits from Twenty One Pilots, Sia, Drake, Adele, Justin Bieber, and the Chainsmokers are also included. The collection debuted in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200.
Kesha’s third album, 2017’s Rainbow, came with more baggage than any pop album should be asked to carry. Her first project since her high-profile lawsuit against former collaborator Dr. Luke and its subsequent legal and label entanglements, it was heralded on arrival as a bold and cathartic statement of intent, but wasn’t necessarily the good-time dance-pop she’d made her name on. Three years later, the 15 cheeky, genre-hopping songs that make up High Road are about—and the results of—having a lot of that weight lifted. “I just tried to make it as low-pressure as possible because I feel like my whole career has been this race against time,” she tells Apple Music. “And on this album, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to make—exactly what genre, exactly what sound—and I wanted to not put a time on it and just see what would happen if I allowed that for myself.”
Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2, the follow up to the original 2010 tribute record. With tracks from Sturgill Simpson & Brandi Carlile revealed so far, the release adds to an esteemed legacy for Oh Boy Records, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. At least 3 more tracks will be revealed prior to street date. Proceeds from each track will go to a charity of the respective artist’s choosing. John’s last recorded song “I Remember Everything” just won 2021 Grammy awards for Best American Roots Song & Best American Roots performance. Additionally, Brandi Carlile performed the track on the broadcast. This track from Brandi Carlile will be part of this tribute release.