After taking a gospel sojourn with 2022's , returns to his roots with , going all the way back to the source of his Southern-fried country-soul: Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia. Capricorn is where the , the and the recorded some of their best material, and some of that magic has rubbed off on . has a loose, funky gait that complements his casual eclecticism, the way he blends familiar elements of country, soul, blues, and rock into something distinctly laconic. 's honeyed drawl seems particularly thick here -- it almost seems like another instrument in the mix. His words are worth hearing, but the appeal of lies in its mellow vibe. Its funk can seem as deeply felt and idiosyncratic as in his prime, while the backyard balladeering is as tender as 's, a combination that's cozy and endearing. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine