Lily & Madeleine

New West Records

8pm, Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room

New West Records keeps setting the standard for Americana imprints. Nashville songwriter Bryan Simpson opens with eclectically cacophonic eponymous debut as the Whistles & the Bells, his creaking vox howling over strings and aggressive percussion. North Mississippi Allstar Luther Dickinson digs revealingly retrospective for new double-LP Blues & Ballads, while Houstonian Robert Ellis highlights new work following up his impressively genre-stretched third LP from 2014, The Lights From the Chemical Plant. Lily & Madeleine swirl gorgeous, textured harmonies through the Indianapolis duo’s third LP, this year’s Keep It Together, delivering delicate, emotionally rich pop. Canadian journeyman songwriter Corb Lund cut rockabilly riffs and retro country on Dave Cobb-produced ninth studio effort, Things That Can’t Be Undone, offering one of his best outings, and fellow Canuck Daniel Romano closes with last year’s stellar throwback of ballad twang If I’ve Only One Time Askin’.

This article appears in March 18 • 2016.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.