Album Review: Justin Townes Earle - Kids In The Street

US troubadour Justin Townes Earle has always worn his troubled soul on his sleeve, his songs routinely beautiful but containing a perpetual undercurrent of hopelessness and despair.

Now his life has stabilised — he's newly sober, newly wed and facing impending fatherhood — and accordingly, his seventh album's tone is one of contentment and cautious optimism.

This doesn't diminish his potency in any way — the songs are still rife with depth and empathy — while his trademark Americana stylings have given way to a subtle but sophisticated soul vibe. Growing up has never sounded so alluring.