is an award-winning soul-blues singer from Texas who currently resides in Los Angeles. After releasing a handful of acclaimed solo albums across the 2010s, he signed with for 2019's Grammy-nominated . The set was produced by label boss , who also composed its songs specifically for 's unique, resonant singing voice. They return with many of the same studio players on , though their musical focus has shifted a bit. wrote eight of these songs on his own, and two more with . They rely less on blues this time out and dig much deeper into the many shades of soul and R&B, though the blues are never far away. Opener "Invisible Soldier" weds a furious horn chart to funky Hammond B-3 and popping snares. 's guitar provides a driving choogle for , a 6'5" ex-Marine, to detail the struggles of those returning home from battle. The title track follows suit as gritty gospel, funky blues, and rock entwine around a circular guitar vamp. testifies alongside the organ as spiky guitar fills and rumbling basslines frame his delivery. "No Limits to My Love" changes pace. It's a sultry, seductive love song with silvery guitars, strings, and plenty of reverb. 's singing is strong, full of conviction and vulnerability; he knows what he wants from his beloved, but wants her to want it as badly as he does and is willing to wait. The spiky "Miss Information" is a social justice screed fueled by a double-timed snare break, wailing horns, and wah-wah guitars on stun over a pumping Latin-ized bassline. 's vocal emerges from the burning soul-gospel of as the chorus of and adds texture and nuance. On "Please Take My Hand," sings like a Pentecostal preacher on Sunday atop a chorus of percussive handclaps, hand percussion, and layered male backing vocals. "One Way" is a souled-out paean to love, commitment, and unity in facing the ills of the world. "Gonna Lift You Up" is a rave-up, Memphis-styled soul number that draws equally on , , and . While "Golden Lady of the Canyon" is a midtempo ballad that intersects vintage Texas and West Coast R&B, it's quite modern due in no small part to 's unique, canny phrasing. Closer "United We Stand" is driven by a wrangling funk bassline while singer, chorus, and band combine punchy Southern soul, West Coast rhythm & blues, and rootsy blues in a stomping dancefloor anthem. is arguably a stronger album than , as fine as that was. has had time to internalize 's strengths and as a result, he writes to get the band to push him harder. responds with aplomb and delight. He commits fully to the lyrics, and goes further inside himself to communicate their nuances, even as he makes us dance. ~ Thom Jurek