The new year is here and soon the release schedule will begin filling up but I thought I would do a quick round up of what’s already been announced for 2025.
If you know of any new releases by women not mentioned here then please add to the comments and also let me know what you’re most looking forward to hearing!
Lana Del Rey – The Right Person Will Stay (May 21st)
Lana has been teasing a more Americana/country inspired record for so long I was beginning to think it had been shelved due to the vocal element of her fandom who don’t seem too keen on the idea (see their reaction to her just being friends with Nikki Lane). However let’s be honest her poetic, atmospheric last few albums have been so close to Americana anyway all she needs to do is add pedal steel. She’s worked with Luke Laird in Nashville and will play Stagecoach but don’t expect a Post Malone style pop country crossover, as some tracks are in collaboration with her usual producer Drew Erickson who worked with Angel Olsen on her Americana project ‘Big Time’ so expect it to be similar in sound to that record.
Julien Baker & Torres (Date TBC)
Julien Baker and Torres have only released one song, ‘Sugar in the Tank’ from their upcoming collaboration album but already this sounds like one of the most exciting projects of the year. I’ve always found both these artists interesting individually but their solo music has never clicked with me, however this song got me right away. It’s my perfect kind of indie Americana and I’m really looking forward to hearing the rest.
Lilly Hiatt – Forever (31st January)
From the first couple of song released so far this new Lilly Hiatt record sounds like it will be a dream for anyone who likes a bit of 90s inspired alternative music (me and hopefully everyone reading this blog!). ‘Thoughts’ references listening to The Sundays as well, and that influence can only be a good thing.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart – Looking for the Thread (January 24th)
This transatlantic trio collaborated during Celtic Connections a few years back and have been in the studio working with Bonny Light Horseman’s Josh Kaufman on this new album set to be released later this month. The only track released so far ‘Hold Everything’ is a devastatingly beautiful song about survival and resistance.
Possible new albums on the way but not yet announced from Ashley McBryde who’s released a new single recently and Alison Krauss and Union Station who have announced live shows. Others seen in the studio or rumoured to have new albums include Caroline Spence, Amanda Shires, Kelsey Waldon, Charlie Marie and Kristina Murray so here’s hoping we get new stuff from them all this year.
Other new releases confirmed include the following:
17th January
Willow Avalon – Southern Belle, Raisin Hell
The Weather Station – Humanhood
Olivia Wolf – Silver Rounds
24th January
Courtney Patton – Carry You With Me
Rhona Macfarlane – As the Chaos Unfolds
Larkin Poe – Bloom
7th February
Sharon Van Etten & the Attachement Theory
Jade Turner – Breathe
Sarah Klang – Beautiful Woman
Nadia Reid – Enter Now Brightness
14th February
The War & Treaty – Plus One
21st February
Sunny War – Armageddon in a Summer Dress
Listen to a selection of songs from the above albums in my new music playlist below – follow along on Spotify or Apple Music for a regularly updated selection of the best new tunes by women in the Americana/indie/folk realm in 2025!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3KcF7CibquRNgmfuP88Sf1?si=neYKyhzdRlSnYDpO9WJfFg&pi=e-5yKCNActRZ2e
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/highway-queens-new-music/pl.u-RYz2c3b6LvK
Highway Queens 
Two that I am very aware of and looking forward to (because I have backed/pre-ordered!) are Kirsten Adamson and Lady Nade (who is actually having a listening party this evening though I can’t make it). I am very much hoping for new releases from Simeon Hammond Dallas and Rachel Croft though I think these are very finance dependent.
Probably more that I can’t call to mind immediately.
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