The borders between genres can be hard fought and nowhere has that been more true than country and western. The self-proclaimed music of ordinary folk has always had its own establishment gate-keepers and today their job appears to be to disavow any connection with their 1950s/1960s past. Guess that leaves the field open to others wishing to take up that country-style.

Australian Patrick Wilson adds a folky vocal charm to his countryfied 2023 release It’ll Be Alright. The delight here is in the delicate touches of pedal steel adorning “Medicine” and “All You Could Do.” Or the slight jangle guitar interventions colouring “Leave My Love” and the radio-ready single “Here Comes Another One.” “Other Side of the Line” weaves a winning rockabilly lead guitar line throughout the song. And then there’s “Coffee Song,” a stylistic departure that cranks the electric guitars amid a definite sense of dread. You don’t have delve very deeply into Gary Louris’ Dark Country release to know he’s a member of the Jayhawks. It’s there in the vocal, the song structure, the easygoing assurance propelling any given song. Opening cut “Getting Older” sounds pretty Jayhawks for sure. But the departure on this solo effort can be found in the striking guitar work. “Couldn’t Live a Day Without You” has some sparkling acoustic guitar picking framing a touching sentiment. By contrast on “Blow’em Away,” ooh, that acoustic guitar ring contributes to a very spooky feel. “Two Birds” works its acoustic guitar into a more folky blues vein. And for something different “Living on my Phone” moves the sound into a slightly ethereal direction.

The full impact of Brett Newski’s new album ameriCONa Pt. 1: Educate Freeloaders to Buy Art is coming soon but from the pre-release singles his signature Velvets-meets-Tom Petty stroll is as vibrant as ever. Recorded with backing band The Bad Inventions the opening track “Jesus Freak” has got plenty of Lou Reed attitude and a languid Stones-in-country-mode amble. “Narrow Escapes” has a more insistent lurch and alt-poppy sheen. I’m not sure Newski’s anti-Spotify crusade is going to take off but with this album it sure deserves to. You only have to look at the cover of Sweet Pete’s new album Three Ring to get a pretty good sense of what you’re in for. It’s the place where old time rock and rollers meet up with rough and ready country toughs at the truck stop. There might be mesh fencing in front of the stage for when the bottles fly. Opening cut and title track “Three Ring” sets the scene with a rollicking Nick Lowe vibe. “Carnival Queen” and “Private Eye” lean a bit more country. “Big Trouble” reminds me of Brad Marino’s recent solo work. “Can Opener” is a garagey dance number that sets the tone for the party to come while “My Inner Heel” is a bit more low-key, slinky, sung in a Ben Vaughn deadpan. Personal fave: “Dutch Hex” has a delightfully subtle hook in the chorus.

I’m a sucker for Patsy Cline and all those who took inspiration from her, people like K.D. Lang and Neko Case. So when I got wind of Chaparelle’s new LP Western Pleasure I knew I’d found something special. The twin vocals of Jesse Woods and Zella Day could be seen as just another hipster dalliance with country, a sort of She and Him sequel. But I hear a deeper connection here. Day aces a classic 1962 country vocal vibe on the aching opening number “Bleeding Hearts.” Then “Devil’s Music” add some honky tonk to the mix. A more contemporary country sound? “Playing Diamonds Cashing Checks” covers that nicely. Sometimes the authenticity comes through in the instrument choices, like the organ anchoring “Bad Loving,” the slide guitar teasing “Baby Jesus,” or pedal steel guitar undergirding “All Things Considered.” Then again, tracks like “Heart Broke Holiday” deliver the sentiment you’d expect from the title. But “Sex and Rage” is opposite, offering an understated American Songbook feel. I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Inside the Lines” end up as a break-out single, given how it veers over into folk pop. Album shocker is definitely the dramatic re-invention of Whitney Houston’s “Dance With Somebody.” If you love The Catus Blossoms or the Ruen Brothers you’ll be adding Chaparelle to your playlist before long.

Country is indeed a style, long severed from its origins in the Appalachian mountains, western plains and the Texas desert. But that doesn’t mean its inauthentic. The vibe is alive and you can feel it in stereo by clicking the links above.

Photo ‘John Baeder’s Road Well Taken’ courtesy Thomas Hawk Flikr collection.