Emerald

When her contract with label Razor & Tie ran out, folk darling Dar Williams decided to try a D.I.Y. approach to her tenth studio album, Emerald, before signing with UK label Bread and Butter shortly before its release in the spring of 2015. It features an impressive lineup of guests, including British folk-rock legend Richard Thompson, country's Jim Lauderdale, alt-pop's Jill Sobule, and indie folksters the Milk Carton Kids, Lucy Wainwright Roche, and Angel Snow. Inspired by collaborations and long-term friendships, the album also features an unexpected and spirited cover of Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros' "Johnny Appleseed." ~ Marcy Donelson