North Carolinian Hawks has spent decades at the fringes of bluegrass and poetic alt.country, a significant talent with a minimal recorded legacy. But this one, weaving steel guitars and gloriously melodic country-blues-soul roots through seditious times, feels like his pinnacle. The topical is addressed – see the blistering ‘King Of Hate’ and ‘Nothing Matters Here Anymore’ – as much as the personal with ‘Pretending Not To Know’ finding the protagonists lifelong love crumbling into dust over riveting Orbison-esque ambience. LUKE TORN (UNCUT MAGAZINE)

His gorgeous country lilt lends itself to his poetic words and music. This is superb country music that brings to the table the story-telling folk-y roots and Americana branches and creates a forest of memorable, sometimes moving songs. Recommended.

By Matt