Sarah Shook’s voice demands your attention. The first time I heard “Nothin’ Feels Right But Doin’ Wrong,” (from the debut Sidelong record in 2017) it turned my head around. The combination of raw energy and punk attitude, coupled with the Disarmers’ lean approach to drum-forward, guitar-heavy country had me hooked. Now they’re back with their third album and it is going to be a game-changer.

Producer Pete Anderson is best known for his work with launching Dwight Yoakam’s career using a fresh sound of twangy guitars and a rock n’ roll approach. That same sensibility serves this Nightroamer album (released 2/18/22 on Thirty Tigers) quite well. The sound of the new record softens some of the rougher edges of both the band and Shook’s vocals while maintaining the same energy and attitude of the previous releases. The Disarmers’ core lineup stays the same with Eric Peterson on guitar, Aaron Oliva on upright bass, and drummer Jack Foster, but now adds pedal steel ace Adam “Ditch” Kurtz and the results are fantastic. The ten songs are all written by Shook and continues their tradition of solid lyrics with a message that encourages you to see another side without beating you over the head. The band keeps things interesting with appropriate accompaniment; they rock when needed and can serve up some serious country as well, with the tracks being divided equally.