Count Greg Felden, Cage The Elephant, Jenny Lewis albums as 2019 essentials

The forthcoming full-length debut from singer-songwriter Greg Felden, as well as wonderful new albums from Cage The Elephant and Jenny Lewis are among the strongest releases this writer has discovered this year.

Artist: Greg Felden
Title: Made of Strings (New Neighborhood)
You might like if you enjoy: Ted Russell Kamp, The Jayhawks
Tell me more: Greg Felden's Made of Strings is such a deep and poignant album that it astounds that this is the Eugene, Oregon native's first full-length release. The material's soundscape ranges from folk and rock to alt country and roots material, all delivered with a master's touch. There isn't a weak cut on the 10-song album; my favorites include the undeniably-melodic "Every Time," Jayhawks-styled "When the Change Comes" and driving Americana rocker "Tell Me What's Broken." The album was recorded while Felden's girlfriend Samantha Morris was battling cancer (sadly she passed away prior to the release of "Made of Strings"); there is a sense that the power of these songs and the recordings owe much to her enduring spirit. With his stirring vocals and the backing of a fantastic group of musicians, Felden's Made of Strings is an inspired and impressive introduction. Made of Strings is set for release on June 14, 2019. Information: gregfelden.com.

Artist: Cage The Elephant
Title: Social Cues (RCA)
You might like if you enjoy: Beck, Foster the People, A R I Z O N A
Tell me more: The hyper-electronic, post-DEVO flavored "Broken Boy" opens Cage The Elephant's excellent 2019 album Social Cues but the Kentucky-spawned six-man band's artistic reach quickly extends to dance pop (the catchy single "Ready To Let Go" and equally-strong "Black Madonna"), indie rock ("Skin and Bones," "Dance Dance," "The War is Over") and far afield styles (notably the chamber pop foray "House of Glass" and Neo-psychedelia caper "What I'm Becoming"). Another highlight on this welcome return is the swirling indietronica slice "Night Running" featuring Beck. Cage The Elephant will co-headline with Beck this summer on a highly-anticipated tour; the two artists will perform throughout the U.S. in July and August . Information: CageTheElephant.com.

Artist: Jenny Lewis
Title: On The Line (Warner Bros. Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rilo Kiley, Aimee Mann, Carole King
Tell me more: One of today's most talented and independent voices, Jenny Lewis' fourth solo studio album (On The Line) finds the songstress chronicling loss via an uplifting '70s sheen that is both inspired and authentic. With a cast of true legends contributing to the musical proceedings (including Ringo Starr, Beck, Don Was, Jim Keltner, Jason Falkner and Benmont Tench), Lewis has delivered a flawless and enthralling set of original songcraft-centered tracks that has met with widespread acclaim. The reflective rocker "Wasted Youth," uptempo melodic gem "Red Bull & Hennessy" (featuring the dual drumming of Starr and Keltner), ambitious "Dogwood" and irresistible "Rabbit Hole" are among my favorite songs on a stellar collection. "Little White Dove" is a song that details Lewis' emotions as she spent time with her mother in the hospital prior to her death from liver cancer; that track has a compelling funk-rock vibe that defies cliche and is bolstered by some of Lewis' most striking vocals in memory. Information: JennyLewis.com. 

Robert Kinsler