Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound - S/T

Oklahoma-born songwriter and roadhouse belter Audra Mae has dramatically sharpened her tone and expanded her sound with the introduction of her band The Almighty Sound on her new self-titled new album arriving February 14 (Side One Dummy). Her 2010 solo debut full-length The Happiest Lamb set the bar high with its jazzy retro feel and dark and moody corners, but this new project practically bursts at the seams with slow-roasted roots/rock power, soulful punch and Audra Mae's husky, ear-grabbing vocals. The soaring, stomping "Ne'er Do Wells" churns with a raw directness, reminiscent of less polished Grace Potter, with a killer back beat and potent right hook while "The Real Thing" simply grabs the boogied melody by the neck and runs with it, The Almighty Sound blasting away in glorious, loosely gripped mayhem.

Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound - "The Real Thing" (from the self-titled album)

Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound - "Ne'er Do Wells" (from the self-titled album)