New Music Tuesday: Vol. 15-2025

Yes, there is more than Turnpike’s album.

Look, sometimes this work is work,¹ but I don’t want to fall [back] down² on my job and make it feel like I’m doin’ time³ when only talking about great new music. It ain’t me⁴ to say I’m “Down No More⁵” to deliver a weekly new music round-up. So over time⁶, I’ve found new ways to tell you about the songs I love upon first listen —even if this one is a bit trite and forced.

I’m on vacation this week with the family, so this will be short, but you should follow those links and listen to a diverse group of new songs from some wonderful artists.

However, we must stop to acknowledge the new albums from two of Oklahoma’s best: Turnpike Troubadours and Jason Boland & The Stragglers. Both albums are incredible and well worth a deep dive.

• The Price of Admission — Turnpike Troubadors’ latest album is what fans wanted when the band returned. Cat in the Rain served a very specific purpose — something that needed to happen. This new album feels like it was created for its sake, drafted in a fit of creative rage and is award bait. I have listened to it top to bottom several times, and there are no skips, misses or even things I wish might be a bit different. This album lives up to the hype of the bands biggest fans.

  

• The Last Kings of Babylon—Boland’s latest album is at another level. The complexity and variety of the songs, the order of the album and the production style combine to create something greater than the sum of its parts. The opening track kicks serious ass and, honestly, Boland and the band don’t let up.

  

  For all those paid subscribers, the link to the full play list is in the footnotes. Thanks to everyone for reading and until next time keep on listening to great country music.

1. Willi Carlisle

2. Bryant Roses

3. Christopher Seymore

4. Emily Zeck

5. Mark Morton featuring Nikki Lane

6. Excess Express