Top Country Albums of 2013

There is already a big list of top country albums of 2013.

Tim McGraw leads the early releases along with fellow country singer Gary Allan. It’s actually been quite a while since Allan has been out with a new album. The first single from the upcoming track is already one of the biggest of Allan’s career so even with the slight lull in radio activity he still has a dedicated listening audience.

Additionally there are some likely releases from other artists like Luke Bryan and Jake Owen.

Newcomers also top the list including Thomas Rhett who is currently riding his second hit into the top 20 on the singles charts. His first release should be a good one and his label mate Justin Moore should have another record out this year as well.

Here is the complete list so far of the top country albums of 2013.

1. Two Lanes of Freedom – Tim McGraw

We still have to wait another month for this record to come out, but it is already proving to the be one of the best of the New Year. Tim McGraw has been through a lot over the last couple years. He’s been battling with his former record label and now that he finally got a release from the contract he seems to be rejuvenated. We’ll see how that plays out when this record hits the shelves next month, but the first two singles have already been huge hits.

[easyazon-link asin=”B00AQO1WXO” locale=”us”]Two Lanes Of Freedom [Deluxe Edition][/easyazon-link]

2. Set You Free – Gary Allan

In just a couple weeks we’ll get this new album from Gary Allan. It will have been nearly three years since Allan had released an album previously and really about five or six years since he had a big hit single off an album. Even with all that time gone Allan still shows he has staying power because the first single is currently in the top five and climbing on the charts. After some label issues Gary is ready to rule the charts once again.

[easyazon-link asin=”B00AGKHEIA” locale=”us”]Set You Free[/easyazon-link]

3. 2013 Album – Clint Black

Word on the street is Clint Black will have an album out in 2013. It’s been six years since Clint released his last full length record. He’s been busy in that time with acting and appearing on a few reality shows. It’s good to see him getting back to business in the music world, though, because Clint is one of the great country artists of all time. I’m curious to see if he’s self-releasing this new set or if he has a partnership with a major label.

4. Thomas Rhett – Thomas Rhett

This debut from the exciting new artist, Thomas Rhett, is set for a March 2013 release. The set already includes two top 30 singles and it looks like Thomas Rhett could be one of the bright new stars in the country world. His dad had a handful of hits back in the late ’90s and continues to be a huge player in the songwriting game today. It’s great to see the tradition passed on to the next generation.

5. 2013 Album – Blake Shelton

If things go as planned we should definitely get a new Blake Shelton record this year. It’s been nearly two years since he released his last full length set and after four number one singles and a hit TV show Blake is on fire. He recently released a holiday album and it’s doing extremely well, but you gotta think this busy man wants to keep the momentum going with new music later on this year.

6. 2013 Album – Miranda Lambert

Let’s move right from the current country king to his queen. Miranda hasn’t missed a beat since her 2005 debut. She’s released a new album every two years and that puts the fall of 2013 as the next time for a new record. Miranda has a new single out from her last album, but by the late summer I’m sure we’ll get something new to kick off a brand new album. She hasn’t missed on an album yet so there’s no reason to think she will this year.

7. 2013 Album – Justin Moore

Justin Moore has quietly put two gold records on his wall since 2009. How about that for a guy that some consider too country for country music. This guy is just flying under the radar with some great music. It’s been a couple years since his last album was released and you know this hard working guy is already prepared for his third record. I’m sure we can expect some great new songs later this year. His most recent single became his third number one song and that’s huge.

8. 2013 Album – Jake Owen

There is no guarantee we’ll get new music from Jake Owen in 2013, but you gotta think he’ll look to build on the momentum he’s had since the release of his last album in 2013. Jake just released the fourth single from that record and it would make sense for new music to be released in the summer as the lead up to another smash hit of an album.

9. 2013 Album – Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is coming up on a huge turning point in his career. He’s released new music every other year since 2007 and during that time he’s turned into a headlining country star. He has a big 2013 in the pipeline that is already kicked off with a great collaboration with Jason Aldean and Eric Church. We should get a new single from Luke later in the spring and a new album in late summer or early fall. It’s a big time for Luke Bryan.

10. Mother – Natalie Matines

It was recently announced that Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines will release her first solo album in May of 2013. The album has to have huge anticipation around it. The Dixie Chicks have been quite for a few years although the sister released an album recently and the entire band is now on set for a performance later this year. This should be a great album of rocking country from a great country singer.

11. True Believers – Darius Rucker

It’s been just a couple years since Darius Rucker has released a new album, but this newfound country star isn’t ready to slow down. The title track did alright on the singles charts and the second single is looking to be a huge hit. It’s great to see this former pop star find such success in the country world. It’s great to have him.

12. How Country Feels – Randy Houser

It’s always a big deal when a country artist changes labels. Randy Houser found success with a number two hit a couple years ago, but he has struggled since to find the same success. He found it with his latest single and the album is due out in 2013. The album should have the same kind of rocking country songs from his previous efforts.

13. 2013 Album – Joe Nichols

One of my favorite artists of all time is Joe Nichols. After a couple of releases with Toby Keith’s Showdog label Joe is with a new team and he’s preparing for a fresh start in 2013. I always look forward to the music this guy releases. He’s been consisten for a decade now.

14. Fall Into Me – Katie Armiger

One of the underrated artists over the last few years has been Katie Armiger. I’ve been putting her songs on CML for a couple years now and it never seems like she can break through with a hit. I still think it’s only a matter of time before she breaks out into the mainstream. Check this album out in a couple weeks because I can bet it will be one of the best of 2013.

15. Like A Rose – Ashley Monroe

The girls in the Pistol Annies are breaking out onto their own. Ashley Monroe recently had a hit single and video with the guys in Train and now she’s looking to have a big hit album in 2013. We should get the album within the next couple months. Couple this with a new album from the Annies in 2013 and it’s going to be a busy year for these three girls.

16. 2013 Album – Pistol Annies

The Annies had one of the surprise hit albums over the last year. The record just kept selling without really having a big radio hit. The girls keep on trucking, though, and their new album in 2013 is sure to be an even bigger hit. Not bad for a side project.

17. 2013 Album – The Band Perry

The Band Perry already have a huge hit on their hands. I’m not sure how far along they are on the rest of the record, but I’m sure we’ll get something here in the next couple months. Better Dig Two shows the trio has some really strong momentum heading into the New Year.

18. Illusion – Faith Hill

Has it really been 8 years since Faith Hill released a studio album? That’s a really long time and the country star really hasn’t returned to the top of the singles charts in that time. She’s been busy with her family and career as well during that time, but the new album is set to be released later this year and I’m sure it will be a huge hit for this country star.

19. 2013 Album – George Strait

This is going to be a big year for George Strait. He’s heading out on his final tour and he’s releasing a new album. This isn’t supposed to be the last album for George as he still plans to record, but it should be another great one in a long line of hits. The first single is off to a slow start, but you can bet the king has some good songs up his sleeve.

20. 2013 Album – Scotty McCreery

The American Idol star has a new album in the works for the new year. His first record was a huge hit and his holiday album has been a big seller this year as well. I’m sure we can expect a great new record from this young star in 2013.

Did we miss anything? Share the news in the comments.