With the catalog of great music that came out in 2019 and some highly anticipated albums in 2020, it’s possible you missed some impressive albums. If you haven’t already read the Oklahoma Reviews: Best of 2019, you can check it out here:  theoklahomareviews.com/home/2019/12/16/best-of-2019-the-albums 

Here are a few that may have flown under the radar: 

Wild Ones, Josh Weathers

A crowd favorite in the regional music scene, Josh Weathers is best known for his dynamic live performances. Onstage charisma is often hard to capture in recorded form, but Weathers has done that with Wild Ones, his first album since 2012. “Sometime,” the first track, has a gospel sound that suits Weathers’ soulful voice perfectly and sets the tone for the vocally impressive tracks that follow. The title track is an upbeat, life affirming anthem. The cover of Mike and the Mechanics “Living Years” is even more beautiful and poignant as a tribute to his own father, who he lost as a teenager. From the Stevie Wonder-esque “Before I Met You” and groovy “So Right” to the heartbreaking “One” and wistful “From This Day On,” Weathers manages to blend gospel, soul, funk and a hint of country seamlessly in this album. Beautifully produced and enhanced by the impressive musicianship, most notably the keyboard by Retrophonics lead man, Chris Watson, the album leaves you wanting more than the eight tracks. Find out where to catch one of his impressive live shows here: joshweathers.com/#upcoming-shows

Don’t miss tracks: “One”, “Before I Met You”

Why it should be in your rotation: heart-stopping vocals, great representation of music style

The Hard Stuff, Susan Gibson

CMA winning songwriter (“Wide Open Spaces”), Susan Gibson released her latest album, The Hard Stuff in 2019. It’s packed with ten tracks of smart lyrics of songs that, as the title suggests, tackle some tough topics, like aging, loss, heartbreak, and love after heartbreak. The opening track, “Imaginary Lines,” talks about feeling comfortable with not fitting a certain mold. She is setting up the rest of the album, telling the listener she is comfortable with the musical path she has followed. “Antiques,” inspired by her father who she lost in 2017 tells a tale about “growing older isn’t for the weak, it only happens to the strongest ones.” Both the title track and “Lookin’ for a Fight” are songs about difficult life lessons, told from very different perspectives. “The Big Game” is best described as an awkward seductive song, and a great example of some of the wit found throughout the album. Find out where you can catch her live at susangibson.com/tour

Don’t miss tracks: “Wildflowers in the Weeds”, “The Hard Stuff”

Why it should be in your rotation: thought provoking, witty lyrics, soothing vocals

Bruisable Heart, Matt York

Massachusetts native, Matt York released his third album in 2019. York said that Bruisable Heart is the album he’s “been trying to make all along.” The country sound of his first two albums is definitely present, the fusion with rock and folk and the noteworthy production make Bruisable Heart his most vocally and lyrically rich to date. The album full of heartbreak and desperation takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride. The album opens with “I’ve Got Nothing,” a plea for direction from someone who can’t find his way. “Permanent Crush” is the most upbeat of the album, both lyrically and musically. York said a few of the songs were inspired by the opioid epidemic, a cause he has lent his musical talent. Most apparent is “I Lost My Baby to the Needle Tonight,” as dark as the title implies, emphasized by the low tone. With every track, York stretches vocally to give an album of diverse tracks. 

Learn about upcoming shows at mattyorkmusic.com/shows

Don’t miss tracks: “Bruisable Heart”, “Feels Like Home”

Why it should be in your rotation: diverse vocals, everybody loves a sad song

The Walk, Bonnie Bishop

The Walk was released by Grammy-winning songwriter, Bonnie Bishop in 2019 and packs seven flawless tracks of bluesy soul. “Love Revolution,” the opening track, has a groovy beat and displays Bishop’s impressive range. The title track paints a picture musically of carrying a heavy burden, but pushing forward. The bluesy “Every Happiness Under the Sun” is reminiscent of another Bonnie, incidentally, the same one who recorded her Grammy award winning “Not ‘Cause I Wanted To.”  “Women at the Well” has a gospel feel, but is a redemption song for women who have ever felt shamed. The instrumentation on the album is impressive, most notably the keys and percussion (how often do you see that mentioned?). Produced by renowned Steve Jordan, the album is flawed only by its brevity, but it is a journey, not seven individual tracks. 

Find out where to catch Bishop at bonniebishop.com/ .    

Don’t miss tracks: “I Don’t Like to Be Alone”, “The Walk”

Why it should be in your rotation: powerhouse vocals, impressive instrumentation

Cover Photo By Melissa Payne Photography

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