This year artists working within the orbit of the unstable category "roots music" got personal even as they explored complex cultural lineages and challenged the rules of established scenes and forms.

This year artists working within the orbit of the unstable category "roots music" got personal even as they explored complex cultural lineages and challenged the rules of established scenes and forms.

Rose's early records mixed country, pop and indie rock — a rare approach at the time. Now, she's released her lustrous new record, CAZIMI, into the musical landscape that she helped shape.