Kacey Musgraves isn't necessarily the spokesperson for modern country music but her debut album, "Same Trailer Different Park," is powerful enough to shift the direction of the genre.

This album captures the untamed spirit of Musgraves and has received positive attention from a diverse audience. Released March 19 on Mercury Records, the 12 tracks showcase the 24-year-old's songs that flip around clichés that aren't worried about being patriotic. Musgraves, with just one song, has ended the conventional country music idiom.

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After releasing an album earlier this month, it seems there could be no greater gift to Willie Nelson than the international recognition he received on his 80th birthday Tuesday, April 30 for a long and storied career. Then I watched SpongeBob SquarePants wish him a Happy Birthday on www.happybirthdaywillie.org.

The website is a collection of videos from musicians including Snoop Lion, Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Tony Bennett, Keith Richards and many more wishing Willie Nelson a happy birthday. It’s a fitting tribute for the man who is part of a small group of living artists responsible for shaping modern American music.

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"Ghost on Ghost" released Tuesday, April 16 is the fifth and absolutely best Iron and Wine album to date. Singer-songwriter Samuel Beam, performing under the moniker Iron and Wine, has progressed as a songwriter since his first release in 2002. This just bursts with golden tones and exquisite songwriting.

Produced by Brian Deck, "Ghost on Ghost," incorporates elegant jazz and vocal arrangements that complement Beam's remarkable songwriting. Beam is like a modern Nick Drake in his musical versatility. The 12-track album released on Nonesuch Records is warmly nostalgic yet modern, and is already in contention for my favorite album of the year.

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When Beth Hart joined Jeff Beck on “I’d Rather Go Blind,” to honor Buddy Guy at the Kennedy Center in December it marked the second chapter in the singer’s career. Since receiving a standing ovation from President Barack Obama and Jimmy Page from Led Zepplin among other attendees, Hart has drawn positive attention for “Bang Bang Boom Boom” released April 2.

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Eric Clapton is clearly comfortable in is position as an elder statement of blues on his latest album, "Old Sock," released March 12. Blues, soul, reggae, folk, jazz and an all-star cast of players are all featured on Clapton’s 21st studio album and first release since 2010.

It’s appropriate that Clapton would release "Old Sock" as he embarks on a world tour to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a professional musician (he joined the Yardbirds in 1963). Clapton, over the course of 12 tracks, jams on his influences proves he is still one of the best bluesmen living today. Clapton recorded only two original songs for the album, "Gotta Get Over," and "Every Little Thing." In fact, a third of the songs on the album were first recorded in the 1930s.

Read the High Note with Shaun Smith every Saturday on shorenewstoday.com.

The latest album by Youth Lagoon is an immersive and radiant composition that shouldn't be overlooked by musical explorers. "Wondrous Bughouse," released March 5 on Fat Possum Records, is the brilliant sophomore release by Trevor Powers of Boise, Idaho, who uses the stage moniker Youth Lagoon.

What makes this album so dazzling is the atmosphere Powers created for the album and how he then manipulates that throughout the 10 tracks. Once you adapt to the Youth Lagoon world you can fully appreciate the masterpiece; it's like the musical equivalent of the movie "Avatar."