Steven Hyden’s Top Music Picks for August 2024

Every month, Uproxx cultural critic Steven Hyden curates an unranked list of his favorite music-related releases. These can include songs, albums, books, films, and much more.

First, we have Sturgill Simpson at Outside Lands on August 11. I’ve already expressed my admiration for Simpson’s debut album in the Johnny Blue Skies era, but his live performance appears even more promising. The new tracks from Passage du Desir sound even more vibrant on stage. The interplay between Simpson’s guitar and Laur Joamets elevates his entire catalog, taking it from traditionalist country into the melodic territory of the Allman Brothers. This band is currently one of the best on the road, and I can’t wait to see them live next month.

Next up is Wishy with their album Triple Seven . Hailing from Indianapolis, this band expertly blends shoegaze and alt-rock elements. While many bands attempt this, Wishy does it better than almost any contemporary group. The songs are truly exceptional. Many shoegaze bands focus too much on using the right gear and tones, lacking in actual melody. But Triple Seven feels like an album that could have been released in 1994, complete with potential MTV hits.

Moving on to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings with Woodlands . These veterans are dependable and consistently deliver quality music. Imagine if Welch started rapping and Rawlings channeled Wes Borland. The thought is laughable because Woodlands sounds exactly like a Gillian Welch and David Rawlings record should—understated vocals with refined acoustic guitar. It’s a strong, satisfying album.

Then there’s Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds with Wild God . This record deviates from Cave’s recent work, which tended to be dark and orchestrated. Wild God brings back some of Cave’s old rock ‘n’ roll swagger, though it retains the more somber perspective of his recent music.

Ray LaMontagne’s Long Way Home is another noteworthy mention. I own six of his albums but have never written about him until now. While he may not be an underrated genius, he is a solid singer-songwriter. Long Way Home is full of retro-sounding pop-folk tunes reminiscent of Neil Young’s Harvest era. The album is extremely listenable, standing out in a genre where many artists blend together.

Futurebirds with their album Easy Company have also been on my radar for almost 15 years. Their 2010 release, Hampton’s Lullaby , was excellent. Originally leaning towards the My Morning Jacket wing of the alt-country family, they have now moved in a more folky direction. Working with producer Brad Cook, they have deepened their songwriting and reinforced their rock-solid durability.

Next is Oso Oso with Life Till Bones . This band blurs the lines between contemporary emo and classic pop rock. If it were the ’90s, they would be touring with bands like Better Than Ezra and the Gin Blossoms. Believe me, that’s a compliment.

Finally, we have BBsitters Club with Joel’s Picks Vol. 2 . This Chicago band fits into the indie jam scene, drawing inspirations from the Grateful Dead, Phish, and Ween. The compilation is a selection of live highlights from 2019 to 2023. What sets BBsitters Club apart is their sense of humor and fun. Many jam bands can get too serious, focusing on replicating ’70s Dead tapes. BBsitters Club, however, understands that a little goofiness is essential for any great jam band. So, break out the beach balls!

Source: Uproxx