Allan Rayman rose in mystery last year, the Toronto native maintaining a low profile despite the acclaim from debut LP Hotel Allan. Now, Roadhouse 01 delivers Rayman to the spotlight, his harsh and graveled vocals layered over a genre-bent mix of R&B, indie beats, hip-hop, and intricate arrangements – like Alt-J tripping on the Weeknd. Roadhouse also unfolds a concept album narratively driven as a dark mirror to his own creative rise. “Wolf” opens in eerie creep to the soulful flow of “December,” but jazz send-up “Jim’s Story” breaks mold into the backside’s more experimental and aggressive rhythms (“Head Over Heels,” “13”). Complex and entrancing. (1:15pm, Tito’s stage)

***.5

This article appears in October 6 • 2017.

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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.