Room 41 [CD], Paul Cauthen, CD

Cauthen first earned his reputation as a fire-breathing truth teller with the acclaimed roots rock band Sons of Fathers, but it wasnt until the 2016 release of his solo debut, My Gospel, that he truly tapped into the full depth of his prodigious talents. Rolling Stone called the album a triple-barreled blast of Texas country, soul and holy-roller rockabilly delivered by a big-voiced crooner, while Vice Noisey dubbed it a somber reminder of how lucky we are to be alive, and Texas Monthly raved that Cauthen sound[s] like the Highwaymen all rolled into one: hes got Willies phrasing, Johnnys haggard quiver, Kristoffersons knack for storytelling, and Waylons baritone. The album landed on a slew of Best Of lists at the years end and earned Cauthen dates with Elle King, Margo Price, Billy Joe Shaver, and Cody Jinks, along with festival appearances from Austin City Limits and Pickathon to Stagecoach and Tumbleweed. He followed it up two years later with Have Mercy, an EP that prompted Rolling Stoneto dub him one of the most fascinating, and eccentric, new voices in country music and NPRs Ann Powers to proclaim it the year of Paul Cauthen.