BY LESLEY HASTINGS
Here we are again! Another year has flown by, a year full of some amazing country music…..here’s my top picks which I’ve somehow managed to narrow down to three in each category, listed alphabetically as I really couldn’t choose between them….. and as you may expect if you know me, female artists are to the fore! Oh there’s a few sneaky “honourable mentions” too!
Albums
There were three released this year that I’ve found myself returning to …..always a good sign as far as I’m concerned.
Two were very impressive debut albums , the other was from an established artist.
When it comes to debut albums,“Hey Country Queen” (Mackenzie Carpenter and “Cherry Valley” (Carter Faith) both manage to blend traditional country music with a more contemporary sound, showcasing strong songwriting from the artists which frequently incorporate the clever wordplay I find myself drawn to. Both albums combine fun, lighthearted tracks and more!) heartfelt, thought provoking ballads, each artist is vocally impressive throughout and there’s some wonderfully sympathetic arrangements. Excited to see what 2026 brings for these ladies …..which I’m happy to say includes UK dates from both.
On the other hand, 2025 gave us a long awaited new album, “Rhinestone Requiem”, from Texan country queen Sunny Sweeney. Sunny has traditional country music coursing through her veins and this album, which the independent artist co-produced, sees her full of positivity and defiance. Two well chosen covers are given the “Sunny Sweeney” treatment and blend seamlessly with her eight originals, several of which immediately sound like instant country classics. As you’d expect if you are familiar with her back catalogue, storytelling and honesty is at the fore, there’s touches of humour along the way and I challenge you to listen without tapping along with your cowboy boots. Twang-tactic.
Honourable mentions
Jillian Jacqueline ” MotherDaughterSisterWife”
Margo Price “ Hard Headed Woman”
Zach Top “ Ain’t In It For My Health”
Singles
While I’m more of an album type of gal, there were several singles released throughout the year which really grabbed my attention! Here’s my three favourites…..
Savannah Gardner & The Recovering Good Girls “Born In The Wrong Generation” is a a fan favourite from the band’s live set and was released by these rising stars of the UK country scene in July. A solo-write by Californian native Savannah, her descriptive lyrics paint a wonderful picture in the opening uptempo verses where she starts off “pretending it’s the 60’s, it’s the summer of love” before the slower, reflective break comes in. The catchy chorus make this the perfect song- along anthem.
More recently, Carly Pearce gave us a taste of her new music with the single “Dream Come True”. An artist who is not afraid to pour her heart out in her songwriting, this ballad is no exception as she tells of the personal sacrifices necessary in order to succeed in the ruthless music business and which no one warned her about. Vocally, Carly has a way of ripping your heart out as she sings her truth . The closing lines are particularly poignant as she acknowledges the part her mother has played in her success. The arrangement is really beautiful (Carly co-produced) with a special mention to Jenee Fleenor on fiddle.
Margo Price’s “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” came out in June, the lead single of course from her latest album “Hard Headed Woman” .
To quote Margo, the song was written ” as a battle cry for the downtrodden – a reminder to keep going even when the world tries to grind you down” and is Margo at her feisty best both lyrically and vocally. Never one to mince her words, Margo snipes at the “tone deaf sons of bitches” in the music industry who think “bullshit smells like roses” and almost spits out the words to this rollicking uptempo honky tonk song.
Honourable Mentions
Jackson Dean ” Be Your Man”
Ella Langley “Choosin’ Texas”
Greylan James “Water At A Wedding”
Concerts
This was the hardest category to narrow down to just three! There were so many which I loved for totally different reasons, but in the end it was the combination of artists/venues/atmosphere which made these ones shine through .
Stephanie Lambring is an artist I became aware of with the release of her 2020 album “Autonomy” which I quickly became obsessed with! “Hypocrite” followed last year, and she was on my “must see” list so I couldn’t miss the chance to catch two dates when she visited us in April. Both very intimate shows which suit her intense, candid songwriting which frequently tackles thought provoking subjects. The first was courtesy of Kingsmead House Concerts near me in High Wycombe which always attracts a discerning audience, and the second at London’s Green Note, a listening room that I’m sure needs no introduction to most of you. Just Stephanie, her guitar and her gut wrenching vocals were all that was needed while some amusing anecdotes from this truly engaging artist lightened the tone in between numbers. Magic.
Ashley McBryde‘s First UK Fan Club Party, Hoxton Hall, 20th September was an intimate, acoustic affair that I reviewed at the time (link below) and there’s really nothing more to add …such a fun evening with my favourite artist: hope this was the first of many
You can always count on Margo Price to put on an incredible and energetic live performance full of attitude, and her show in June at London’s Scala was no exception. Together with her band of top rate musicians ( this time including Logan Ledger on lead guitar) we got to hear several songs from her then soon-to-be released new album (“Close to You” in particular making an impression on me) plus a a good mix from her back catalogue including my favourites “Hands of Time” and “Four Years of Chances”. Added bonus for me was having UK’s Maya Lane as opener, I’ve said it several times now but definitely watch out for this talented singer/songwriter for whom I predict great things to come.
Honourable Mentions ( lots!)
Jackson Dean, Forum Kentish Town
Brandy Clark, Islington Assembly Hall
Savannah Gardner/Dom Glynn, The Bear Club, Luton
Jason Isbell, The Barbican
Maya Lane, The Grace
Ron Pope/Emily Scott Robinson, The Garage
Special Event
I can’t end my year review without a mention of a very unique, special evening which I was very fortunate to attend, and that’s The Grand Ole Opry Live in London at The Royal Albert Hall in September. For the first time, and to celebrate its centenary, this iconic show made its way across the pond (together with the superb Opry band, presenter Kelly Sutton and yes, that actual “circle” for each artist to step into). Each performed both originals and a cover of a country classic, with Opry members Darius Rucker, Carly Pearce, Marty Stuart, Ashley McBryde and Luke Combs joined by UK’s Mumford & Sons, Breabach and The Wandering Hearts. Co-hosted by Vernon Kay, there were the cheesy bits I’d expected but also some informative video footage regarding the Opry’s history and the atmosphere throughout was electric. Highlights for me included Carly playing us a voice mail she got sent by Loretta Lynn, Ashley unsuccessfully fighting back the tears as she performed “Girl Going Nowhere” and Marty Stuart’s incredible mandolin playing. The entire show ran really smoothly, full credit to all involved in this massive undertaking.
2026 has a lot to live up to…….bring it on!
