Elena See

The Nashville-based songwriter recorded a few tracks at this year's 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida, including this quietly hopeful love song.

Folk Alley's Elena See and Linda Fahey share their takes on the best Americana, roots and folk records of the year.

Maya de Vitry's powerhouse of a voice shines in this gospel-inspired ode to dreaming of what seems unattainable.

A forceful, piano-driven song that previews the folk-pop singer's sophomore album is also a conversation-starter about choices and consequences.

Nickel Creek's Sara and Sean Watkins lead a good-natured variety show with an all-star cast that includes Fiona Apple, Greg Leisz, Benmont Tench and others.

It'd be hard to top the craftsmanship that went into the songs on Southeastern, but Isbell thinks he's done it.

The Head and the Heart is one of many new folk groups that bend tradition while keeping it alive.

For a guy who grew up in a sort of musical royal family, it's surprising that Earle has only been making music publicly for a little more than two years. On Sept. 14, he'll release his third recording, Harlem River Blues. Until then, hear it here in its entirety.

Mellow, rhythmic and captivating, the band's new record once again demonstrates the way Crooked Still, as singer Aoife O'Donovan says, rediscovers old music and makes it new. Hear Some Strange Country in its entirety until its May 18 release.

Back in January, Vanguard Records signed "the poet of the common man," country-music legend Merle Haggard, to its roster. His new album for the label, I Am What I Am, is his first recording since 2007, as well as an unapologetic declaration of self-awareness.