Best 20 Blues Rock Albums of 2023 (so far)

Best 20 Blues Rock Albums of 2023 (so far)

By Martine Ehrenclou

Just like this time last year, we are again featuring some of our favorite blues rock albums of the year so far. These are a few of our personal favorites.

In the midst of world turmoil and intense heat, we decided to spruce up your summer with albums we believe in. Music lifts our spirits and sparks joy. We know it’s the same for you so give these albums a listen. We’d like to hear your thoughts.

Which are your favorite albums of the year so far?

Each one is hand-picked and includes info on the artist/band, their new music, and a link to their website should you decide to explore. These aren’t just ordinary musicians—they are highly talented artists and bands. There’s nothing like the thrill of discovering new music especially when they’re this good.

2023 has brought a deluge of great blues rock and roots albums. With the pandemic behind us, recording and live music is back in full swing. It’s kicking our summer into high gear and we want the same for you.

I included a few albums that are about to be released, just to get your enthusiasm ramped up for upcoming new music. Puts a little zing into the transition to Fall with kids going back to school and work in the uphill grind.

These albums are listed in no particular order, just a list of a few we love.

Which albums are your favorites so far? List them below in the comment section. We like to hear from you.

Gov’t Mule, Peace….Like A River
Grammy nominated Gov’t Mule Led by guitar legend Warren Haynes. Peace…Like A River, the band’s 12th studio album and follow-up to Gov’t Mule’s chart-topping, Grammy-nominated blues album, Heavy Load Blues, Peace…Like A River was recorded during the same sessions as Heavy Load Blues at The Power Station New England with co-producer John Paterno (Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos) alongside Haynes. The album features talented friends in important guest roles, including Billy F Gibbons, Billy Bob Thornton and Celisse as well as Ivan Neville and Ruthie Foster.
Info and Video Here 

Robert Jon & The Wreck, Ride Into The Light
Southern California based roots rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck have done it again with their new album ‘Ride Into The Light’ out August 4th on Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Produced by a bevy of heavyweight producers/Grammy winners, the list includes Don Was, Dave Cobb, Kevin Shirley, and Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. RJTW are prolific songwriters and outstanding musicians.
Info and Video Here 

Ghost Hounds, First Last Time
They call themselves blues rockers, but the ever-popular Ghost Hounds weave catchy rock and roll into their sound. With a helluva singer Tré Nation and top-tier guitarists/songwriters Thomas Hull and Johnny Baab leading the band, they keep rolling out great songs and the same is true of their new album First Last Time out July 28. Ghost Hounds are a modern day rock band that plays blues inspired rock. The band has supported legendary acts including the Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Garth Brooks, and Bob Seger on tour.
Info and Video Here 

Parker Barrow, Jukebox Gypsies
Blues infused southern rockers Parker Barrow led by Megan Kane (vocals) and Dylan Turner (drums) are set to release their new album ‘Jukebox Gypsies’ on August 11. A Southern soul and rock n’ roll band with a lead vocalist you’ll remember all year until their next release, Parker Barrow touches on the highs and lows of life on the road, with each song reflecting how they managed to find the sweet spot in the chaos of it all. With the sounds of Southern rock and soulful blues coursing through their veins, the couple spearheads a brand of music distinctively their own.
Info and Video Here 

Ally Venable, Real Gone
Texas blues/rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Ally Venable is a fiery presence well-known in the roots music world. Her name has grown in stature with each new album and high-energy gig. She’s a ripping guitar player with style and tone for days, a commanding singer, and a songwriter with the power to make blues music that speaks to contemporary fans. She toured with Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd this year. Her newest album Real Gone is out on Ruf Records and features guest appearances by Joe Bonamassa and a duet with living legend Buddy Guy.
Info and Video Here

Winery Dogs, III
Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy and Billie Sheehan are finally back in full force with their new album III out in February of this year. The supergroup blasted off on their first studio album in seven years. Outstanding musicianship and songs make III one of the most enjoyable rock records of the year. Turn it up!
Info and Video Here 

Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia, Blood Brothers
Both multi Blues Music Award-winners, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia released their new album ‘Blood Brothers’ in March of this year, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. These blues rock guitar stars created something special with this album. Together, their connection personally and musically shines bright with kick a** songs and outstanding musicianship.
Info and Video Here 

Rival Sons, Darkfighter
Two-time Grammy nominated rock band Rival Sons released their new album Darkfighter in June and reaffirms Rival Sons’ status as masters of straight-up, song-focused rock and roll. The sessions were produced by longtime Rival Sons collaborator and multiple Grammy Award winner Dave Cobb, who captured one crucial take after another and helped create one of the most identifiable guitar rock albums in recent memory.
Info and Video Here 

The Dust Coda
London-based outfit The Dust Coda bend and reshape the idea of rock and roll in their own image on their new full-length release Loco Paradise. The Dust Coda is a talented, four-piece group that generates a non-derivative rock sound built on the bedrock of great songwriting and high-level musical skills.
Info and Video Here 

Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton, Death Wish Blues
Samantha Fish embarks on her seventh album Death Wish Blues with country outlaw Jesse Dayton, out May 19th. Fish was ready for a new collaboration and she found it in the edgy Dayton who has recorded with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings and worked with Rob Zombie on horror film soundtracks. Their new album ‘Death Wish Blues’ marks the musical connection between Fish and Dayton, first ignited in her hometown of Kansas City over ten years ago. She saw Dayton perform in New Orleans and pegged him as the one she’d been looking for as a collaborator. Check it out below.
Info and Video Here

D.K. Harrell, The Right Man
25-year-old blues phenomenon D.K. Harrell raises every roof in town on his debut album The Right Man. Available now on the Little Village Foundation imprint, The Right Man comes across like the work of a lifetime blues master in possession of all the wisdom the music has to offer. He’s an outstanding singer and guitarist with a big-league presence and the kind of intuitive skills you just don’t hear every day.
Info and Video Here 

Eric Bibb, Ridin’
Two-time Grammy nominee and multiple Blues Music Award-winner, Eric Bibb reminds us what a brilliant storyteller and musician he is on his new album Ridin’. A modern-day blues troubadour, Bibb has created a collection of musical stories about his ancestors and brings along guests Taj Mahal, Jontavious Willis, Russell Malone, Steve Jordan, and Habib Koité to join in on the musical narrative.
Info and Video Here 

Tommy Emmanuel, Accomplice Two 
As one of the greatest guitarists in the world, the Australian-born Tommy Emmanuel makes his guitar sing much like a vocalist—with true heart and soul. From multiple Grammy nominations to ARIA Awards, IBMA Awards and countless “Best Acoustic Guitarist” wins, Emmanuel was awarded the honor of Certified Guitar Player (CGP). His new album Accomplice Two boasts an impressive list of guest artists for 16 tracks of bluegrass, country, blues, and more. Emmanuel enlisted Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Jamey Johnson, Jorma Kaukonen, Michael McDonald, Jerry Douglas, the Nitty Gritty Dirty Band, David Grisman, Raul Malo and more to collaborate with him.
Info and Video Here 

Selwyn Birchwood, Exorcist
Award-winning Florida bluesman Selwyn Birchwood released his newest effort ‘Exorcist’ this June via Alligator Records. The guitarist, lap steel player, vocalist and songwriter is a visionary. Produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge, Exorcist is Birchwood’s most fully realized effort to date and shows us all what it means to make smart, relevant, and body-rocking modern blues.
Info and Video Here 

Joe Bonamassa, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
Three-time Grammy nominee Joe Bonamassa is back to his blues roots with his upcoming album, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 out October 6 via J&R Adventures. The album features two new originals and eight new covers spanning some of the most important names in the blues – from Bobby “Blue” Bland and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac to Albert King. From the singles released so far, this album will be a clear winner.
Info and Video Here 

Bobby Rush, All My Love For You
The two-time GRAMMY winner, Blues Hall of Famer, and 16-time Blues Music Awards winner Bobby Rush will release his new album All My Love For You to be released on August 18 via Deep Rush Records / Thirty Tigers. “I’m the one who put the funk in the blues,” Rush sings. He is the real deal.
Info and Video Here 

Joanna Connor, Best of Me
Acclaimed blues/rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Joanna Connor makes her Gulf Coast Records label debut with her newest album ‘Best of Me’ out June 9th. A fiery blend of blues, funk, R&B, soul and even Country, the Chicago-based Connor created one of the best albums of her career. The slide guitar queen is one of the most powerful female musicians in blues/rock, known for her incendiary slide guitar chops and soulful voice. Features Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Jason Ricci, Eric Demmer, Gary Hoey, and Mike Zito.
Info and Video Here 

Matt Andersen, The Big Bottle of Joy
The multi award-winning Canadian musician with the big soulful voice is back with a new album, The Big Bottle Of Joy out March 10 via Sonic Records. This time, Matt Andersen gathered an eight-piece band. If you haven’t heard Matt Andersen, you’re in for a treat as this vocalist/songwriter/guitarist has one of the best voices you’ll hear all year. Rich and soulful, his voice is rivaled by his insightful songwriting, which focuses on celebration, inspiration and humanity.
Info and Video Here 

Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos, Cheat The Devil
Anthony Rosano mixes traditional blues and roots with a modern rock delivery on his new record ‘Cheat The Devil’ produced by Tab Benoit, out this July. With archival influences, Rosano and his Conqueroos have an innate feel for dark, powerful blues. Anthony Rosano is an absolutely blistering triple-threat performer who can sing, play guitar, and write songs at a world-class level.
Info and Video Here 

Eric Johanson, The Deep and the Dirty
Blues rocker, guitarist, and singer-songwriter Eric Johanson returns with his new studio album, The Deep and The Dirty out this July via Ruf Records, produced by Jesse Dayton. Blues rocking guitarist, singer, songwriter Johanson channels his gritty blues and rock firepower into the tracks with mesmerizing guitar and smooth vocals.
Info and Video Here 

Ana Popovic, Power
Internationally renowned guitarist, singer, songwriter Ana Popovic celebrates her guitar-driven, eclectic music style through consistent touring, awards, and recognition for the past 25 years. In the process, she’s emerged as one of the most thoughtful, dynamic, and committed performers. On her new album Power out May of this year she meets the challenge of overcoming breast cancer with grace under pressure and a fiery album that reveals her sultry, jazzy and rocking sides.
Info and Video Here

Coco Montoya, Writing On The Wall
Award-winning, internationally renowned blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Coco Montoya is set to release his newest album Writing On The Wall on September 1 via Alligator Records. Produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge, Montoya delivers one of the best records he’s ever made. Based on the first single, who can disagree? It’s a scorcher.
Info and Video Here 

See ‘Best 25 Blues Rock Albums of 2022 (so far)’ HERE

20 Modern Rock Bands You Need to Know About 2023 see HERE