Sturgill Simpson by any other name. His alter ego is making music with a marginally more gospel feel, but not that far from what he normally does to justify this new moniker, but these are the thoughts I have midway into the first song, maybe the album is going to take a dramatic turn. The first hint of this more 70s-flavored r&b turn can be heard in"If the Sun Never Rises Again". He is singing slightly higher than his normal mellow baritone, and the guitar playing feels like something Prince might have done if he was jamming on the blues.
"Scotter Blues" is exactly what it claims to be, as he wanders off into an upbeat blues jam, He is more thoughtful on "Jupiters Faerie" which is an emotive ballad, that eventually builds up into a bong-laden take on 70s pop. I think there are some interesting choices made when it comes to putting effects on his voice here. "Who I am" finds him back in the saddle of country music. He gets into a more Fleetwood Mac mode for "Right Kind of Dream". The guitar is palm-muted in its grooving shuffle, which drifts into the atmosphere. I like the effects on his voice here.
"Mint Tea" might as well be a Lynyrd Skynrd song. It embraces his countryside more than most of this album, though once again worth stating nothing is really that far outside of his wheelhouse. It is more guitar-focused more often than not, and full of great guitar playing. "One For the Road" closes the album. It is strummed and more accessible than some of the songs, though I would not say it's poppy though I hear it finding its way to country radio. His honest vocal melodies dominate this one. The song does get jammed out into a country take on Pink Floyd which is pretty cool. I will give this one a 9.5, and see how it grows on, me the songs are really strong so there is no reason for it not to grow into a 10.
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