Following 2017 breakout Purgatory, Childers’ third LP feels like a proper introduction. The Kentucky songwriter scours his hometown hollers as setting for his characteristic hardscrabble ballads (“Creeker”), tender memories (“Bus Route”), and sly humor (“Ever Lovin’ Hand”). Sturgill Simpson returns for adventurous and at times psych-tinged production, but Childers feels noticeably more comfortable in his creaking twang against twisting honky-tonk rhythms. Standout “Peace of Mind” highlights his grounded poeticism, “House Fire” blazes, and “All Your’n” slides a soft Southern melody. Childers walks the line of down-home idiosyncrasies and smooth popular jams with a star-making perfection. (Friday, 3:30pm, American Express stage)

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This article appears in October 4 • 2019.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.