Music is the soundtrack of our lives. Or something like that.
The right playlist for a road trip can make all the difference. So let’s try something new. Over the past few years I’ve been on the lookout for relatively new, relatively obscure artists for our travels. I stress the word relatively.
I know that music is very personal, and music tastes vary enormously. These are my favorites. You’ll notice the list leans heavily into the rock, blues, folk, soul, alternative genres – with a dash of country and bluegrass thrown in for good measure. And whatever the Dirty Heads are.
I’m not a music critic, and barely consider myself a writer. I’m just a guy who loves music. And writing. My hope is that this list leads you to a few new bands for your playlist. Perhaps you’ll discover the soundtrack for your next adventure.
Check out the playlist on Apple Music or Spotify.
Want double the music? Here is a deluxe version on Apple Music featuring the full albums (600 songs!) listed below.
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The following are in alphabetical order. The artists with a * represent my top 10 favorites.
1. Aaron Woody Wood, Sunshine EP
Wood’s website describes him as “cosmic Appalachian Soul music.” I feel like that says all that needs to be said.
Songs to start with: Big City, Sunshine, Coal Black Hair
2. Anderson East, Encore
“A potent, heartfelt fusion of soul, rhythm & blues, gospel, early rock & roll, and a dash of country.” Even if he’s not be the first artist I think of when I think road trip, his music is worth a listen.
Songs to start with: All On My Mind, Somebody Pick Up My Pieces, Sorry You’re Sick
3. Animal Years, Far From Home EP
Animal Years were a late, but warranted, addition to this list. Their music can be summed up in one word: uplifting.
Songs to start with: Friends, Caroline, Home
4. Blackberry Smoke, multiple albums
Somewhat of a modern day Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke is southern rock mixed with outlaw country. Whether it’s the earlier country records or the recent rock-focused music, you can’t go wrong with any of the band’s six albums.
Songs to start with: Ain’t Much Left of Me, Good One Comin’ On, Waiting for the Thunder, Everybody Knows She’s Mine, One Horse Town
5. Brandi Carlile, Bear Creek and The Firewatcher’s Daughter
Despite her first album debuting 15 years ago, Carlile found overnight mainstream success in 2018 behind the hit song The Joke. I find that her prior two albums feel tailor-made for outdoor listening.
Songs to start with: Wherever is Your Heart, Hard Way Home, That Wasn’t Me
6. The California Honeydrops, multiple albums
One of the more unique sounding bands that I’ve heard in recent years. Apple Music calls them a modern day blues band, but there’s so much more going on here.
Songs to start with: Call It Home, When It Was Wrong, Like You Mean It
7. Cody Jinks, multiple albums
Cody Jinks has such a classic country sound that it’s almost ludicrous to believe he started his career in thrash metal.
Songs to start with: Loud and Heavy, Must Be the Whiskey, Cast No Stones, Hippies and Cowboys
8. Cold War Kids, LA Divine
Growing from their early alt-rock days, Cold War Kids have evolved to a more anthem-based rock band with music ideal for keeping the energy up as the miles go by.
Songs to start with: Can We Hang On?, So Tied Up, Love is Mystical, First
9. Dawes, multiple albums
A popular answer to the question, “What band do you think deserves more recognition,” Dawes has consistently been putting out terrific music since 2009.
Songs to start with: When My Time Comes, All Your Favorite Bands, Things Happen, When the Tequila Runs Out
10. Delta Spirit, Delta Spirit
Opinions will vary, but in my mind Delta Spirit has the quintessential sound for hitting the open road. It’s freeing, in a way.
Songs to start with: Yamaha, California, Empty House, Bushwick Blues
Take me where the wheels take me, far away
Kaleo, Automobile
Wheels take me, I can’t stay
Wheels take me, any place today
11. The Devil Makes Three, The Devil Makes Three
Blues, country, bluegrass, and elements of rag time merge to create a timeless sound. If you like one song on this self-titled album, you’ll like them all.
Songs to start with: Old Number Seven, The Bullet, The Plank
12. Dirty Heads, multiple albums
The Dirty Heads have crafted their own version of that Southern California sound; blending hip-hop, reggae, and rock to create some excellent road trip tunes.
Songs to start with: That’s All I Need, Cabin by the Sea, Sloth’s Revenge, Vacation, Burn Slow
13. Dr. Dog, Fate
I heard someone refer to Dr. Dog as the closest our generation will get to the Beatles. Lofty praise, but you can hear the influences on this 2008 album.
Songs to start with: The Breeze, The Old Days
14. *Eddie Vedder, Into the Wild (Soundtrack)
If adventure was a music genre, Into the Wild would be the gold standard. There’s no better collection of songs that will make you want to leave society behind.
Songs to start with: Far Behind, Guaranteed, Society, Hard Sun
15. Greensky Bluegrass, If Sorrow Swims
Looking to add some bluegrass to your music library? Noticeable rock influences help make Greensky Bluegrass a great introduction to the genre.
Songs to start with: Windshield, Burn Them, The Four
16. Greta Van Fleet, Anthem of the Peaceful Army and From the Fires
I’ve heard Greta Van Fleet described as “the greatest Led Zeppelin Tribute Band that writes their own songs.” People either love them or hate them. I still haven’t decided.
Songs to start with: When the Curtain Falls, Highway Tune, Safari Song, Black Smoke Rises
17. The Head and the Heart, The Head and the Heart
An indie folk band from Seattle, The Head and the Heart have released some stellar songs over the past ten years. I still find their first album to be their best.
Songs to start with: Lost In My Mind, Down In the Valley, All We Ever Knew
18. *Houndmouth, Little Neon Limelight and From the Hills Below the City
Blending a classic Americana sound with guitar driven rock, Houndmouth seemed like they were on the cusp of mainstream success before taking their sound in a new direction. Their first two albums are littered with songs that will add some liveliness to your road trip playist.
Songs to start with: Sedona, Casino (Bad Things), Comin’ Round Again, My Cousin Greg
19. J Roddy Walston & The Business, Destroyers of the Soft life
A good old American rock band. The band brings a frenetic energy to their music that will help keep you out of a lull while behind the wheel.
Songs to start with: The Wanting, Numbers
20. Jason Isbell, Southeastern
This quiet, introspective album is perfect for a relaxing evening around the fire.
Songs to start with: Cover Me Up, Live Oak, Elephant
Continue scrolling for more playlist recommendations…
21. *JJ Grey & Mofro, Brighter Days
JJ Grey has an infectious joy for singing. The Brighter Days live album essentially serves as a greatest hits album, making it a great record to kick off with.
Songs to start with: Lochloosa, Brighter Days, The Sun Is Shining Down, 99 Shades of Crazy, Every Minute
22. Judah & the Lion, Pep Talks and Folk Hop N’ Roll
I recently described South Dakota as fun. No other band encapsulates that word better than Judah & the Lion.
Songs to start with: Take It All Back 2.0, Suit and Jacket, Going to Mars, Why Did You Run?, Over My Head
23. *Kaleo, A / B and Surface Sounds
This Icelandic band quickly became a favorite of mine with their rocking blues and folk sound. Their first album, A / B, is near perfect (well, that’s just, like, my opinion man), and a few early releases from the upcoming Surface Sounds show the band has no intentions of slowing down.
Songs to start with: No Good, Save Yourself, Automobile, I Want More
24. *Kip Moore, Slowheart and Wild Ones
Country fans know Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck, but they might not know that Kip Moore has evolved into a diverse singer/songwriter over the years. Slowheart might be my favorite country album.
Songs to start with: Just Another Girl, Last Shot, Plead the Fifth, Backseat, Wild Ones, Come and Get It
25. Lord Huron, Strange Trails
Apple Music’s bio for Lord Huron begins with “Evoking wide-open vistas and the spirit of travel…” Enough said.
Songs to start with: The Night We Met, Meet Me In The Woods
26. Moose Blood, I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time to Time
Moose Blood bring a totally different dynamic to a camping playlist than say, Lord Huron. This is another album you can listen to from front to back without feeling the need to skip a song.
Songs to start with: Cherry, Bukowski, Gum, I Hope You’re Missing Me
27. *Mumford and Sons, multiple albums
By now you have likely decided if you like Mumford & Sons or not. If, by chance, you’re still on the fence, here are a few songs that may put Mumford in the permanent playlist rotation.
Songs to start with: White Blank Page, Winter Winds, Babel, Ghosts That We Knew, Broken Crown, Believe, Ditmas
28. *Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Tearing at the Seams
After years of touring as a solo artist, Nathaniel Rateliff and his band, the Night Sweats, broke out after releasing their lively self-titled debut album. The follow up, Tearing at the Seams, digs deeper into their vintage sound.
Songs to start with: S.O.B., Howling At Nothing, Trying So Hard Not to Know, Tearing at the Seams
29. National Park Radio, Old Forests
While this band could have earned a spot on this list just due to the name alone, their music invokes the spirit of the outdoors like few others.
Songs to start with: Mighty Mountains, Go, Old Forests
30. Nicole Atkins, Goodnight Rhonda Lee
Similar to Anderson East, I’m not sure that Nicole Atkins belongs on this particular list. For anyone feeling nostalgic for music of a past generation, give this soulful, retro album a spin.
Songs to start with: Darkness Falls So Quiet, Listen Up
I’m drawn to the chaos and the wind
Randy Houser, No Stone Unturned
Can’t help but take a look around the bend
And one day I’ll probably settle down
But there’s still a lot of lost to be found
31. *Pearl Jam, Gigaton
As a Pearl Jam fan, I’m finding it hard – no, impossible – to contain my enthusiasm for the band’s newest album. Eerily relevant lyrics paint a picture of urgency, and perhaps a sense of hope, in regards to the threats facing humanity.
Songs to start with: Quick Escape, Comes Then Goes, Superblood Wolfmoon, Who Ever Said, Seven O’Clock
32. Poor Man’s Poison, Providence
One of my favorite newer finds, this four member string band’s sound comes from a place where bluegrass, Americana, outlaw country, and blues converge.
Songs to start with: Providence, Hey Mister, C’mon Down
33. *Randy Houser, Magnolia
In a similar vein to Kip Moore, Randy Houser – who dare I say has the most powerful voice in country music – might have put out his best album with 2018’s Magnolia. Is there a better road trip song written within the past few years than No Stone Unturned?
Songs to start with: No Stone Unturned, Whole Lotta Quit, High Time, Evangeline
34. The Record Company, Give It Back to You and All of This Life
To sum up this bluesy rock band in four words: terrible name, great music.
Songs to start with: Rita Mae Young, This Crooked City, Off the Ground, Life to Fix
35. *The Revivalists, multiple albums
Blending rock, R&B, soul, country and funk, this New Orleans group has been churning out exceptional music well before 2015’s “Wish I Knew You” catapulted them into the mainstream.
Songs to start with: Keep Going, Wish I Knew You, Btbd, Navigate Below, Catching Fireflies, Not Turn Away, Soulfight
36. Shovels & Rope, Busted Jukebox, Vol. 1 and O’ Be Joyful
This husband and wife duo make a type of music that begs to be listened to on the road or around a camp fire.
Songs to start with: Unknown Legend, Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight, Keeper, Birmingham
37. Snow patrol, Eyes Open
We dug into this album after binge-watching the Office (the song Open Your Eyes was featured during the final season in a climactic scene between Pam and Jim). Turns out, the entire record has the type of energy that makes for a great road trip album.
Songs to start with: Chasing Cars, Open Your Eyes, Hands Open
38. The Teskey Brothers, Half Mile Harvest
This soulful debut album has way more in common with the ‘60s and ‘70s than any music being made today. That’s not a bad thing.
Songs to start with: Crying Shame, Pain and Misery, I Get Up
39. Tyler Childers, Purgatory and Country Squire
There is no mistaking Tyler Childers’ down-home Appalachian twang for anything but country music.
Songs to start with: Whitehouse Road, Feathered Indians, House Fire, All Your’n
40. Young the Giant, Young the Giant
Stretching the definitions of both new and obscure, this spirited, dynamic album is a perfect addition to your road trip playlist.
Songs to start with: My Body, Cough Syrup
Need more music? Check out these Honorable Mentions:
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow
The National Parks, Until I Live
Patrick Sweany, Every Hour is a Dollar Gone
Portugal, The Man, Woodstock
Rainbow Kitten Surprise, How To: Friend, Love, Freefall
Ripe, Joy in the Wild Unknown
Shakey Graves, And the War Came
Trampled By Turtles, Palomino
Uncle Lucious, And You Are Me
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Let’s hear it. What new artists are you listening to? What’s on your Road Trip playlist? Share your music below.
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