Every year, a few albums end up meaning more than you ever expected, soundtracking late-night drives, slow mornings, and the moments you didn’t know needed music until it found you. This year, my favorite records didn’t chase trends or radio dominance; instead, they leaned into honesty, grit, and storytelling. Copper Changes Color by Caamp, Westward by Dylan Gossett, and West Texas Degenerate by Treaty Oak Revival each carve their own emotional terrain, blending folk, Americana, raw country, and a little bit of rock to create something that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Together, these three albums capture different shades of longing, growth, and restlessness, making them not just my top releases of the year, but the records I kept coming back to.
On June 6, Caamp embraces the idea of change as something inevitable and even beautiful with Copper Changes Color. This album blends warm folk instrumentation with introspective lyrics that reflect growth, relationships, and the passage of time. There’s a softness to many of the tracks, but it never feels weak, rather, it feels thoughtful and lived-in. Caamp’s harmonies and steady rhythms create a comforting atmosphere, making the album easy to sink into. It’s a record that rewards patience, revealing more emotional depth the longer you sit with it.
Westward by Dylan Gossett feels like an album written on the open road, capturing the push and pull between chasing something more and holding on to where you came from. Gossett’s songwriting is raw and unpolished in the best way, leaning into acoustic-driven melodies and lyrics that feel deeply personal. The album debuted on July 18th, and throughout the album, themes of longing, faith, and self-discovery surface, giving each track a sense of quiet honesty. There’s a vulnerability in the way Gossett sings about uncertainty, making the project feel relatable rather than performative. Westward succeeds because it sounds like someone figuring life out in real time.
Treaty Oak Revival released their third studio album on November 28th, West Texas Degenerate. This album is loud, gritty, and unapologetically Texan, channeling the chaos and freedom of small-town nights and relentless ambition. Treaty Oak blends southern rock with country to create an album that feels reckless but intentional. The lyrics are packed with stories about rebellion, loyalty, and living fast, giving the record a raw edge that never lets up. Even in its rowdiest moments, there’s an underlying sense of identity and pride woven through the songs. This album stands out for its energy alone, proving that sometimes the best music isn’t polished – it’s real.
Together, these three albums represent what I valued most in music this year: honesty, storytelling, and emotion that feels earned rather than manufactured. Copper Changes Color, Westward, and West Texas Degenerate may sound different on the surface, but they’re all rooted in authenticity and a willingness to be vulnerable in their own way. Each record captures a different mindset, restless, reflective, or reckless, making them easy to connect with depending on where you are in life. And that’s what makes them last long after the year comes to an end. I also enjoyed two EP’s, Music For The Soul by Sam Barber and Take Me Home by Buffalo Traffic Jam, but they are not albums, so they can’t be on the podium.
