It has been clear from the start that was first and foremost 's vehicle, one where he's given his collaborators plenty of space to show off their talents but ultimately in the service of his songs and his musical vision. Since is at heart whatever wants it to be, it's interesting that he's belatedly taken on a solo career, perhaps to create a separate musical identity for some of his work, or perhaps to lessen the appearance that he's 's benevolent tyrant (as opposed to the strategy that led to famously say, "If it's me and your granny on bongos, it's "). In 2018, brought out his first solo album of original material, , 11 songs of comfort and compassion in the midst of difficult times, with its sibling companion piece, , arriving in 2019. 2020's feels like a blend of the themes and approach of and with the more experimental bent of , the 2014 album made with his son on drums under the group name . is the unofficial second album, as take on all the instrumental duties, while 's brother contributes the occasional harmony vocal. was built on songs about coping with tragedy, and were about looking for solace in the midst of a chaotic world; embraces all of that, in hope as well as fear. Created in part because and his sons were stranded at home by the COVID-19 pandemic with little to do and much to think about, sounds like the product of a lot of thinking while lying awake at 2 a.m., sometimes in search of soothing emotions and sometimes with the passing shadows seeming more than a bit scary. The album also invests the exploratory sound of 's more adventurous compositions (suggesting a more homespun version of 's third album) with flashes of 's homey twang, giving familiar themes a personality that comes from the head as well as the heart. It would be easy to look at as a holding action while waiting for fate to allow to get back to work; in some respects, that's exactly what it is, but it's also heartfelt, honest, and brave in 's willingness to open up about what's good and what's frightening about life in 2020, without writing songs guaranteed to outlive their usefulness when the year is out. Like much of 's music (especially since 's brief hiatus in late 2017), is his very personal reaction to an increasingly difficult time in America's history. He doesn't pretend to have answers, yet this music is his own kind of therapy, recognizing his emotions and working through them before they devour him, and he makes both the process and the challenges well worth hearing. ~ Mark Deming