Hear the Best New Folk Music with Fresh Cuts Friday

We still have a few more weeks of summer, technically, but school is back in session (at least in my neck of the woods) and the days are getting shorter. There is no time like the present to snuggle up with some great new music and maybe a light blanket to get you through.

Here are a few highlights of the new music that DJ Cindy Howes has chosen for her weekly Fresh Cuts Radio Hour. You can join her at 2 p.m. Eastern/ 11 a.m. Pacific this and every Friday. You can also hear the best new folk music on the Folk Alley app and website, 24/7, via the Fresh Cuts stream.

Nathaniel Rateliff – “Famous Blue Raincoat”

Nathaniel Rateliff recorded this Leonard Cohen classic for a new tribute to the great songwriter titled Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen (due October 14). Also on the album is James Taylor, Mavis Staples, Norah Jones, and an impressive roster of others.

Jim Lauderdale – “Friends Again”

For his new album, Game Changer (out today), Mr. Americana Jim Lauderdale decided to go deep into classic-style country songwriting, and this tune is an excellent example of how well he nailed that.

Lonesome River Band – “Heyday”

This tribute to American small towns by Lonesome River Band was released last month, from their new album by the same name. The band’s favorite small town? Cherryville, North Carolina.

Anthony D’Amato – “Ships in the Night”

Speaking of small towns, this early single from D’Amato’s forthcoming album, At First There Was Nothing (due October 21), was recorded in a small town in Utah with producer Joshua James.

Kyshona – “Do What Feeds Your Soul”

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kyshona has been releasing a string of singles throughout the year and this one was inspired after a garden party thrown by her friend and cowriter, Shannon LaBrie.