“The Jayhawks stand with the citizens of Minneapolis and the great state of Minnesota,” posted the band on Jan. 29. “Thank you for standing up for what’s right.” What a moment, then, to host the honorary locals marking their 40th year. A 1986 bow, then breakout Blue Earth on Minneapolis’ Sub Pop equivalent Twin Tone three years later, led to four LPs in a row for Rick Rubin’s Def Jam spinoff American. If the Byrds were the American Beatles, then Jayhawks remain their generation’s McGuinn & Company: folk-pop jangle rock. On a tear since 2014, expect a fourth newbie this year, 2020’s XOXO ringing as crystalline as the Byrds’ Younger Than Yesterday. – Raoul Hernandez
