Folk Genre Manager and DJ’s Pick: Elle Thompson ’25
Album: RMCM
Artist: Ricky Mitch and the Coal Miners
Blurb: This album is absolutely beautiful. It perfectly captures a feeling of freedom and is an amazing work of modern folk. I think a lot of newer folk music comes off as tacky or over-produced, but this album stands out as unique and authentic. It sounds like hugging a massive pine tree and feeling a cool wind on your face. It feels like a fresh start after heartbreak. The first track, “Evergreen,” changed my life, despite it only being a minute and 30 seconds long. Everyone and their dog should listen to this album.
RIYL: John Vincent III, Bob Dylan, Gregory Alan Isakov, Oliver Hazard
DJ’s Pick: Asa Skinder ’23
Album: Me / And / Dad
Artist: Billy Strings
Blurb: On his new album “Me / And / Dad,” Billy Strings revisits a number of bluegrass standards alongside his father, who taught him to play guitar as a child. Backed up by an all-star cast of bluegrass pickers, including Ronnie McCoury and Jerry Douglas, Strings and Barber take turns singing lead on a number of traditional bluegrass tunes. While Strings’ prior albums have offered a psychedelic take on the genre, with “Me / And / Dad,” he returns to its Appalachian roots.
RIYL: Doc Watson, Tony Rice, The Stanley Brothers, Billy Strings
DJ’s Pick: Grace Dozeman ’25
Album: These are Good People
Artist: Little Big League
Blurb: The song “Dark Matter” from the album “These Are Good People” by Little Big League came up on my Spotify “Discover Weekly” playlist a few weeks ago. After listening to it 1,000 times, I decided to listen to the whole album, and I loved it. Their music is a bit like Midwest emo if it were less male-dominated. There’s just something about the angst and desperation in lead singer Michelle Zauner’s voice. The songs really build so you stay engaged throughout each one. My current favorites off the album are “Dark Matter,” “Lindsey” and “Brackish Water.”
RIYL: Indie rock, Midwest emo, Big Thief
DJ’s Pick: Liv Cohen ’23.5
Album: Naturally
Artist: J.J. Cale
Blurb: Apart from its masterful album art (a raccoon with a top hat and a cane) this album has a blend of blues, rock, jazz and country that is so good that Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynrd recorded their own versions of Cale's work. Cale is less well known because he actively avoided fame, but his influence is enduring (Clapton cites Cale as the person he most admires in the world). Cale was a true rock star, and his first album is a testament to the chill, groovy dude he was.
RIYL: Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins, The Allman Brothers, Nick Drake, The Byrds
DJ’s Pick: Audrey Grimes ’23
Album: Dark Side of the Moon
Artist: Pink Floyd
Blurb: The first time I listened to this album was a life-changing experience and to this day it holds a special place in my heart. Each song’s story is very complex and the melodies are more production for me than therapy.
RIYL: If you are swag
DJ’s Pick: Bridget Ulian ’23
Album: Being Funny in a Foreign Language
Artist: The 1975
Blurb: A lifelong fan doesn’t think the band can get any better, and then they release a pretentious album exploring toxic masculinity produced by Jack Antonoff. Unreal.
RIYL: Bleachers, anything Antonoff produces, The 1975
DJ’s Pick: Abby Wilkins ’23.5
Album: The Loneliest Time
Artist: Carly Rae Jepsen
Blurb: I was put onto Carly Rae Jepsen purely by Twitter discourse. I have to admit, growing up in the midst of her supposed one-hit-wonder era, I was not convinced. However, it only took one walk home on a Saturday night to experience the emotionally tumultuous wonder of what she’s putting out. There is also an unexpected Rufus Wainwright collaboration on this album, a surprising treat.
RIYL: Caroline Polachek, Kim Petras, Charli XCX
