Lucinda Williams - Good Souls Better Angels (2 LP, 2020)

This 2LP set was released in 2020.

Lucinda Williams' 14th studio album, Good Souls Better Angels, is a masterful blend of alt country, Americana, singer-songwriter, and folk genres. Released on 24 April 2020 via Highway 20 Records, this 12-track album is a testament to Williams' enduring talent and dedication to her craft. With a duration of 59 minutes, Good Souls Better Angels takes the listener on a journey through the darkest corners of Williams' world, exploring themes of social commentary, personal reflection, and emotional depth.

The album was preceded by the critically acclaimed track "Man Without a Soul", a scathing critique of Donald Trump that earned Williams a Grammy Award nomination for Best American Roots Song. This powerful song sets the tone for the rest of the album, which features a rock-solid unit of musicians propelling the music with both fire and finesse.

Notably, Good Souls Better Angels marks the first time Williams' husband and manager, Tom Overby, is credited as a co-writer on many of the new songs. The album was co-produced by Williams, Overby, and Ray Kennedy, who last worked with Williams on her landmark 1998 album Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. This collaboration has resulted in an album that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

With Good Souls Better Angels, Lucinda Williams has created an album that is a powerful reflection of her artistic vision and a testament to her status as a pioneering singer-songwriter. The album's 12 tracks, including "You Can't Rule Me", "Bad News Blues", and "Pray the Devil Back to Hell", showcase Williams' unique ability to craft songs that are both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly innovative. Overall, Good Souls Better Angels is a must-listen for fans of Lucinda Williams and anyone who appreciates authentic, heartfelt music.