10 songs for the new depression is the twenty-first studio album by american singer-songwriter loudon wainwright iii, released in july 2010 through proper records. released forty years following his first studio album, "10 songs" is wainwright's first album since his grammy award-winning tribute project "" (2009). the concept album was inspired by the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and great recession, and features wainwright backed by his own banjo, guitar and ukulele performances.