Hear the Best New Folk Music with Fresh Cuts Friday
Ready for some of the best new music we’ve heard this week? It’s a great list as you’ll see below — and as you’ll hear when you join me for my “Fresh Cuts” radio hour! Listen every Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific via the 24/7 stream on our website, app, or your smart speaker.
Or, just click on the Fresh Cuts stream whenever it’s convenient for you.
In the meantime, check out some of the best new music we’ve been listening to this week.
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – “Can’t Live Without Love”
Known as a fiddler, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes’ debut vocal single is the first from her forthcoming album (out spring 2024). The star-studded track was written by Jamie Hartford and features Bryan Sutton on guitar, Wes Corbett on banjo, Dominick Leslie on mandolin, Jerry Douglas on reso-guitar, and Jeff Picker on bass. Sam Bush and Molly Tuttle sing harmony.
“Zanj” is Leyla McCalla’s final track in a series of singles that reflect upon the struggle for freedom in our society today. Originally recorded by Haitian political protest singer and folk musician Manno Charlemagne, “Zanj” is originally sung in Haitian Kreyol. “’Zanj’ always caught my ear and brought a lump to my throat,” McCalla explains. “The poetry of the Kreyol didn’t carry into English, and so we ended up rewriting the verses while trying our best to capture the spirit of the song.” The song also features fellow New Orleans artist Alynda Segarra of Hurray For The Riff Raff.
Nikki Lane – “When My Morning Comes Around”
Nikki Lane’s emotional rendition of Iris DeMent‘s 1996 song “When My Morning Comes Around” originally appeared on an episode of NPR’s This American Life about Roe v. Wade. “As a longtime fan of Iris DeMent, I am honored to cover ‘When My Morning Comes Around,’” Lane says. “In this current time of crisis, I hope it brings you hope, and I hope you may consider making a donation to support the right to abortion access.”
Dylan LeBlanc – “No Promises Broken”
Out today, Coyote, Dylan LeBlanc’s fifth studio album, is both autobiographical and a concept album built around the character of Coyote, a man on the run. “No Promises Broken” is a soaring, against-all-odds love song that marks when Coyote meets a girl, and his luck begins to change for the better.
