Kids in the Street

A Nashville native and Steve Earle’s son, Justin Townes Earle cut his teeth on classics: roots, country, Americana. He\'s already messed around with tradition, but on *Kids in the Street*, his sly stylistic mash-ups are revelatory. He zips between swaggering garage-damaged R&B (“Champagne Corolla”) and sweetly bluesy rock (“Short Hair Woman”). With savvy instrumentation and aching vocals, he freshens up bluegrass-anchored ballads (“Faded Valentine”) and country weepers (“What’s She Crying For”). Earle balances devilish playfulness with the arch outlook of a man who’s lived.

Justin Townes Earle delivers an update on roots music that fairly glows.

Our take on the singer/songwriter's seventh album.

Kids in the Street

(New West)

Earle has long been a master of the even, understated line.