Luke Roberts - Sunlit Cross

How about a batch of rough-hewn Americana songs to soundtrack our inglorious descent into US election season? Luke Roberts' third album ticks all the boxes of classic, time-honoured Americana.  

Erstwhile of Nashville, the genesis of Roberts' songs came in Kenya, via Cambodia, Thailand and Brooklyn. And while you won’t hear much world music in here, the wayfaring themes ride high alongside those of God and country. Each song is built on a plaintive guitar arpeggio, sparse and dusty; tales of spirituality and wanderlust that come alive when backed by a whirring organ, as on the beautiful standout track Untitled Blues, a burst of pedal steel as on the Whiskeytown-esque Virginia Girl, or by a well-timed change of pace – see the harmonic, restorative Silver Chain, featuring Kurt Vile.

But for the most part, Sunlit Cross is simple and personal. Roberts has a fine voice: tuneful, sorrowful and rooted in the alt-country tradition. This is less innovation, more a soothing collection of unpretentious porch songs, delivered in superb fashion.

Listen to: Untitled Blues, Virgina Girl