For fans of: Reimagined Americana

What they're saying: Here is Flood Magazine’s Mike Lesuer on the Trace Mountains finding their sound: “The record comfortably weaves in and out of alt-country and more rock-leaning aesthetics.” And Kevin Kearney at Pop Matters says this of frontman Dave Benton’s range as a songwriter: “He’s uncertain, defeated, earnest, ironic, heartbroken, and inspiring all at once. I can’t think of a better example of what “Americana” should sound like in 2021.” And here is Pitchfork’s Peyton Thomas on the immersive experience of listening to House Of Confusion: “Listening to the album end to end is like closing a loop, or drifting off to sleep and then waking again, finding that the shadows have shifted around you.”

What we say: From part of the defunct but very beloved band LVL UP. My favorite track is Heart of Gold. - Julia