Chicago based folk-guitar prodigy goes singer-songwriter on us, with stunning results not unlike William Tyler’s recent efforts. A frequent collaborator with Daniel Bachman, he and his and have the Americana/old-timey jazz chops that Songs: Ohia, Sun Kil Moon, etc. could only dream of. Not as sanguine as “slowcore” and way more creative than generic bluegrass, this is down-to-earth, undistilled rootsy greatness. Something here for everyone. FCC clean, track durations are on back of case.

1. plaintive stroll accompanied by strings, piano, and skilled brush drumming
2. meditative, slightly somber, just guitar and viola
3. INSTRUMENTAL. Stompin’ country-folk with a fast jazzy backbeat, great fingerpicking frenzy!
4. a cool shuffling bluesy-ragtimey strut, top-notch musicianship keeps this miles above your standard Starbucks-core
5. lush, relaxing tune with sparse lyrics, mostly just gorgeous guitar flourishes over a stately march
6. slow, melancholy fingerpickng instrumental
7. slow and sad instrumental, this time with some piano
8. tense, almost menacing bluesy number, just acoustic + electric guitars and Walker’s wistful singing
9. light, carefree and really pretty acoustic number—bring on the DADGAD!