Hard Headed Woman, album by Margo Price. From the introductory “Prelude to Hard Headed Woman” to the final song, “Kissing You Goodbye”, this country…and blues, and rock, and ballads album is an earworm from top to bottom. Margo Price has always been a rebel, an individualist, and a hard-handed woman, which is why this country album has something good for everyone – actually, something great. Twelve songs that say she is the boss of her and nobody else is, while she makes you laugh, smile, maybe cry, and certainly dance. Stream on Spotify and all major platforms.
Lila Alelí, single by Silvana Estrada: Starts soft, then gets into a groove. Then it gets really interesting, with earworms aplenty. Intimate yet irreverent, and so much fun to listen to. An early release from the forthcoming album, Vendrán Suaves Lluvias. Spanish. Stream everywhere.
Everybody’s Song, single by Robert Plant. With his new band Saving Grace, he reconfigures some of his favorite musical elements: the blues, Celtic picking, and Arabic modes. If you are a Robert Plant fan -or even if you have not paid him mind – you will love this song and the album, due out Sept. 26. Stream on Spotify and all major platforms
Voy Crecidendo, single by Rubio. Rubio is the musical experiment of Latin Grammy-nominated Chilean artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Francisca Straube, and she pulls out all the stops. Swinging, swaying, flowing happily, Voy Crecidendo is both experimental and familiar, and will stick in your mind and ears. Spanish. Stream on Spotify and major platforms
Cancionera single by Natalia Lafourcade. Simply beautiful. Lafourcade creates a musical environment with a voice that exudes closeness, emotion, sadness, and soul. With minimalist piano and strings and her gentle, knowing voice, she envelopes you, pulls you in, and makes you float in with her lyrics. Simply beautiful. Spanish. Stream everywhere. Check out the full album of the same name.
Guitarras y Castanuelas, single by Patricia Vonne. Not a new song, but a good one. Vonne is a standout in the world of Texas blues rock – she adds touches of Mexico and Spain as she does in this song. The combination of Spanish-style guitar, a rock beat, and castanets works. It is one of those songs you will want to keep close and replay. Spanish. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.
