The 17 Best Southern Albums of 2017

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All American Made
Margo Price

Margo Price’s 2016 debut, Midwestern Farmer’s Daughter, served as her warts-and-all memoir. On her second album, she plants a flag for the common man (and woman). From Price’s viewpoint, a lot of people are getting screwed: a family ruthlessly gamed by the system on the title track, or women still fighting for equality on “Pay Gap.” Her band offers her a richer sonic foundation, and a handful of songs swell with dramatic guitar work along with some soul and gospel flourishes (courtesy of the McCrary Sisters). Price is a rare talent with razor-sharp lyrics, a keen sense of melody, and abundant empathy. Good thing she’s only getting started.

Essential tracks: “Pay Gap” and the aching duet with Willie Nelson, “Learning to Lose.”