The Year in Review with Brian Dunne

·1 hr 2 min·5 clips

Marissa Moss argues Tyler Childers' 'Snipe Hunter' is the best country album in years, despite fan backlash over his sound evolution.

The episode opens as a year-end special from East Nashville, with host Joseph Hudak joined by Rolling Stone contributors Marissa R. Moss and Josh Crutchmer to discuss the publication's list of the 25 best country and Americana albums of 2025. They begin by analyzing the top five albums: Charlie Crockett's 'Dollar a Day' at number five, praised for its allegorical depth and collaboration with Shooter Jennings; Kelsey Walden's 'Every Ghost' at number four, noted for its personal storytelling about sobriety; Eric Church's 'Evangeline vs. The Machine' at number three, described as a prog-rock influenced country opera; Carter Faith's debut 'Cherry Valley' at number two, highlighted for its wit and vulnerability; and Tyler Childers' 'Snipe Hunter' at number one, debated for its divisive yet visionary departure from his earlier sound. The conversation expands to songs that moved them in 2025, including tracks from Turnpike Troubadours and the band Wednesday. They then discuss albums that didn't make the list, such as Whiskey Myers' 'Womp Whack Thunder' and Kip Moore's 'Solitary Tracks'. Looking ahead to 2026, the hosts express hope for more women on country radio and for emerging artists like Wyatt Flores and Caitlin Butts to solidify their careers. A segment is dedicated to remembering musicians lost in 2025, including Jeannie Seeley, Flaco Jimenez, Todd Snyder, and Raul Malo, with personal anecdotes about Malo's impact. The episode concludes with an interview featuring singer-songwriter Brian Dunne, who explains the working-class metaphor behind his album title 'Clam's Casino', his influences from Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen, and his experiences touring in Nashville. The hosts share lighthearted moments, such as discussing Christmas country songs and presenting Dunne with handmade Clam's Casino soaps.

As heard by us

A warm year-end panel turns a country album list into a conversation shaped by memory, joy, and Raul's music.

Rolling Stone's Nashville Now year-end special treats 2025's country and Americana albums less like a countdown than a table conversation. Joseph Hudak hosts Marissa R.

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Why you'd press play

You get a festive year-end Nashville Now visit through 2025 country and Americana albums, then a heartfelt turn toward Raul's music.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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