10 Independent Country Albums You’ve Never Heard (But should)

Independent country music has suddenly become quite in vogue over the last few years. Thanks to streaming and social media, listeners are no longer tied to whatever the commercial machine chooses to indue upon them via the major label and radio conglomerate. Artists like Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton, followed by the likes of Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrell and Tyler Childers, have given listeners a refreshing alternative to the typically over polished, non-traditional, and often times stereotypical sound coming out of Nashville’s mainstream.

The sound largely harkens back upon its roots, while at the same time exploring new sonic and lyrical directions typically unheard of in the mainstream. Heartfelt writing, artistic creativity, and loads of long-lost soul are abundant. Clearly this is a sound that many a starved listener has been craving, whether they knew it or not. Independent country has exploded into the mainstream consciousness.

With the listeners’ newfound access and consciousness has come a plethora of new music to explore. Each of the artists mentioned above started out with little to no following or commercial success. Grassroots listeners discovered and spread their music to become the massive success it is today. This article hopes to highlight 10 newer artists who deserve your attention as well. Who knows, perhaps “the next Zach Bryan” success story is among them!

This article will focus on albums released by 10 incredible artists who currently remain relatively unknown, and who have released an album within the past few years. The criteria will be active artists who are currently listed at less than 25,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. As more and more listeners discover their music, those numbers should surely increase soon!

Lillie Mae — Forever And Then Some

Current monthly listener count — 24.1k

Lillie Mae’s powerful lonesome voice and soulful warble is the kind that will grab a listener’s attention, and never let them forget. Uniquely unduplicated in attitude and sound, Forever And Then Some is a marvel of individual artistry combined with traditionalism. Enjoyable and adventurous in arrangement and production, hints of bluegrass influence often peek through. And on top of it all sits Lillie’s voice conveying an outstanding collection of extremely well written songs. Forever And Then Some is the kind of album that is enjoyable throughout and portrays a story and themes that will leave the listener pondering and wanting for more.

2. Wade Sapp — Radio Check

Current monthly lister count — 12.1k

In Radio Check, Wade Sapp maintains tradition while introducing the listener to a unique blend of sounds that could help revolutionize country music. Pure 90’s country with a healthy dose of brash lip, and a unique sound that can even venture into the psychedelic, Radio Check maintains a sense of up-front familiarity while also exploring new territory. While sassy 90’s country with a touch of psychedelia may not appeal to all listeners, it’s the kind of music that could grow a cult following and be at the forefront of influence the direction of neo traditionalism.

3. Two Runner — Modern Cowboy

Current monthly listener count — 9,729

If the music of Two Runner sounds familiar to some long-time underground music fans, it should. Led by Emilie Rose and Paige Anderson, both have been in music since the age of 9. Rose (formally of String Sisters) finds her roots in Scottish and Celtic fiddle music, while singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Anderson (Anderson Family Bluegrass, Fearless Kin) comes largely from the school of Pacific bluegrass (think Molly Tuttle). These influences combined with their incredible talents makes for a sound that’s perhaps not entirely country, Celtic, bluegrass or even folk, but that is fresh, interesting, and downright beautiful. Modern Cowboy kicks off with the barnburner of a song Devil’s Rowdydow, before taking the listener through a musical journey that will never leave you bored.

4. Hannah Juanita — Hardliner

Current monthly listener count — 7,667

Hannah Juanita’s is a voice that needs to be heard. Far and wide. The highly tradition music tinged with bluegrass and even Latin influences on Hardliner lay a perfect bed for that voice to tell a wonderful story. Heartache embedded steel guitar to a spunky rhythm ebb and flow beautifully throughout the album, presenting the story Juanita sings to the listener. Touches of Texas outlaw to shades of Loretta Lynn style 70's Appalachia will excite a diverse group of country fans. Expect big things.

5. Robert Henry & the Repeaters — The Way It Usually Goes

Current monthly listener count — 5,884

If you’re looking for that old school outlaw, hard driving honky tonk pure country rockin’ sound, you can certainly find it in The Way It Usually Goes. Hard stompin’ beats and crying steel guitar abound, beautifully accompanying Henry’s edgy baritone voice and incredible “dive bombs”. A deeper listen reveals a myriad of influences from metal to blues. Very much “in your face” sonically and lyrically, the way a good outlaw album should be, The Way It Usually Goes is sure to satisfy the sensibilities of fans longing for the days of the old Waylon and Willie style of country music.

6. Miles Miller — Solid Gold

Current monthly listener count — 5,456

Solid Gold does about as good a job of nailing the balance between modern and traditional sounding country as any album available. In fact, balance may not even qualify as the proper term. Solid Gold just IS. Modern? Yes. Traditional? Yes. Unequivocally. This singing drummer (formally w/ Sturgill Simpson) really knows how to satisfy the listener’s ear, and stomping feet. Solid Gold comes off as a mix of easy listening and hard-edged country. This seemingly impossible blend does a tremendous job of allowing the listener to be drawn into the exceptional song writing that any great country album should possess. The arrangement and production only further aide in the experience. Miller’s debut album is one that anyone can enjoy, while still maintaining that special quality that sets it apart.

7. Rachel Brooke — A Killer’s Dream

Current monthly listener count — 2,092

Ever heard of Gothic country? Now you have. As an artist whose grassroots popularity may have peaked a little too soon due to the lack of streaming and popularity of the movement, perhaps it’s time to revisit Rachel Brooke’s brand of music, and hopefully find a new wave of listeners. The haunting beauty of Rachel’s voice will suck you in, the swinging jazzy arrangement will grab you, and the lyrical artistry will surely keep you. Very smooth extremely retro, while still being incredibly fresh and modern, with a hard edge, there’s little else out there like it. Although not yet well known in the mainstream, Brooke maintains a true cult following, which you’ll come to understand upon listening through A Killer’s Dream.

8. Cody Christian — Canary in a Coal Mine

Current monthly listener count — 1,747

The fact that Cody Christian’s music hasn’t blown up yet is almost unfathomable. His current monthly listener count is a travesty. That needs to change. Fans of artists like Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, and Charles Wesley Godwin who sport a similar “Appalachian” sound will absolutely find something to like on Canary in a Coal Mine. So will fans of the hard edged and driving outlaw rhythm. Lyric lovers rejoice, Canary has it in spades. Leading the with titular song, followed by the incredible and similarly themed Saints of Appalachia, Canary is an anthem for the common people throughout. Speaking of anthems, Modern Day Siren certainly qualifies. Other songs will hit the listener on an even more personal level. Overall, Christian’s freshman album is truly a masterpiece from cover to cover, just waiting to be discovered.

9. Eric Strickland — Prelude

Current monthly listener count — 733*

Stickland’s listener count is somewhat deceiving, as he’s been on the music scene in and around North Carolina for a decent period of time, previously with the B Sides (8,181). Those who haven’t kept up have missed out on a hard stompin’ outlaw bluesy Southern rock and soul country sound that will leave you coming back for more. Prelude will delight country fans who venture into rock, and purists can still find something they like as well, including venturing into some of Stickland’s other material. Stickland has paid his dues, and his music shows it. With more platforms for exposure now available, a breakout should be imminent.

10. Josie Toney — Extra

Current monthly listener count — 390

If you’ve ever played an album and found yourself slowly but surely sucked into the music, unable to turn away, falling deeper and deeper into an inexplicable musical spell, then you have some idea of what Josie Toney’s debut album has to offer. Toney’s fine fiddling skills (formerly w/ Sierra Ferrell) and her fantastic enchanting unique-yet-traditional voice, combined with outstanding songwriting and arrangements make for an entrancing experience. The way Extra blends nearly 50’s style traditional country, rolling into the 70’s and 90's, with a distinctly modern sound, and even a touch a Pacific bluegrass and swing, makes it one of those albums that will constantly grow on the listener.