Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me NowBloodshot ****

Philip Larkin's poem of parental influence, This Be the Verse, flits in and out of mind listening to this troubled but somehow defiant statement of survival. Earle is the son of Steve and, like his dad, formed an extreme relationship with hard drugs early in life. But on the credit side, music flows easily from his lips, be it Americana or loose-fitting Memphis soul, as is often the case here. You can hear the father in the son's slurred Texan drawl, but his voice – and the music – is located more after midnight. Opener Am I That Lonely Tonight sets the tone with gorgeous, muted brass. Thereafter, the tales are of soulful introspection, such as the title track or the barroom catharsis of Baby's Got a Bad Idea. There's no resolution; one senses that Earle and his demons have a long way to go. justintownesearle.com

Download tracks: Am I That Lonely Tonight, Baby's Got a Bad Idea