For Bryan Jack, The Marfa Drive isn’t so much a solo expedition for a lonesome, weary traveler as it is a journey through the glorious, expansive terrain of our 268,596 square miles. The Austin artist’s debut full-length of Americana storytelling thus lands fully on the bright side: Bar-as-church metaphor “Saturday’s Best” grins with colorful imagery of wholesome debauchery (“a hat to hide the hair he’s losin’ and a Yeti cup to put his booze in”); loving nods to Jack’s family recur throughout. Buoyed by cozy fiddle and cheery melodies, this road trip soundtrack doesn’t fight demons; it’s a playlist by a man who knows he’s got it alright, and is happy to tell you about it. – Carys Anderson
