I recently had the pleasure of listening to Shakey Graves' newest album, Fondness, Etc., ahead of its release this Friday, May 15th, 2026. Over the years, a handful of his songs have found their way into my playlists. When I had the chance to sit down with his latest work, an album heavily inspired by the life he shares with his family, I was excited to dive in.

Shakey Graves is the stage name of Alejandro Rose-Garcia, an Austin, Texas native known for his raw blend of blues, folk, and Americana. Built around a one-man band setup, he turned heads with his 2011 debut Roll the Bones and went on to become one of the more distinctive voices in the Americana world. With Fondness, Etc., he turns his focus inward.

Fondness, Etc. feels warm, safe, and like home in the best possible way. It stirs up a deep gratitude for the people you love and the moments you've shared with them. From the very first listen, I felt emotionally connected, transported back to better days in a way that felt less like nostalgia and more like a quiet reminder of what matters.

Two tracks stood out to me in a particularly powerful way: track 4, Suddenly, and track 7, I Once Was an Ocean. Both are fully instrumental, and that intentional silence from words left more than enough room for feeling. These songs hit with a weight that's hard to put into words. They're the kind of music you put on when you want to sit back, close your eyes, and let your mind wander back to the people and experiences that shaped you. I’m a sucker for music that has the capability of taking you somewhere else for just a few minutes. 

The overall sound of the home-recorded album carries a gritty warmth that is intimate and lived-in, with just enough of a rough edge to feel honest and raw rather than polished for the sake of it.

At its core, Fondness, Etc. captures the bittersweet waves of nostalgia that come with growing up and building a life of your own. The quiet realization that things aren't the same as they once were, and somehow being okay with that. It's that universality that will make this album so deeply relatable and emotionally resonant. Most of us have lived through a version of ourselves we've had to leave behind, and Shakey Graves has found a way to make that feeling sound like a warm light left on for you.

Fondness, Etc. will resonate most with anyone who has ever looked up from their life and realized how much has changed. Fans of laid-back, introspective music will feel right at home here, but honestly you don't need to be a die-hard folk listener to connect with it. If you've ever felt that pull between who you used to be and who you are now, this album was made for you. Do yourself a favor and listen to it somewhere quiet.

Fondness, Etc. is out on major streaming platforms May 15th, 2026. You can listen to the album here and check out his current tour dates here!