Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now

Justin Townes Earle - Being the son of Steve Earle and given a name referencing iconic songwriter Townes Van Zandt might be daunting enough, but Justin Townes Earle has carved out his own distinctive niche in rootsy alt-country over the course of three excellent albums...New album follows 2010's critical favorite Harlem River Blues -- recipient of an Americana Music Award for Song of the Year -- and adapts Earle's songwriting from twangy roadhouse rockabilly to savory Memphis soul leanings // Release: Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now (March 27, Bloodshot) // Sounds like: "If you listen to a lot of soul music," says Earle, "especially the Stax Records stuff, the chord progressions are just like country music"...we hear that particular R+B feel throughout Nothing's Gonna Change, a love of streetwise soul that echoes early Jersey-centric, pre-Guthrie Bruce Springsteen and the gospel-flavored fervor of Mike Farris...

Quote: "I think that it's the job of the artist to be in transition and constantly learn more. The new record is completely different than my last one, Harlem River Blues. This time I've gone in a Memphis-soul direction." // What we like: recorded live in the studio with no overdubs, the album is both loose-limbed fresh and remarkably tight...a loping stand-up bass line, rich Hammond B-3 chords, lovingly arranged brass shadings and Earle's underplayed vocals make the title track a soft, sweet shuffle on a warm summer night...new single "Look the Other Way" picks up the pace with a funky kick and a distinctive Stax-like sound, right down to the Steve Cropper-styled guitar...

Justin Townes Earle - "Look the Other Way" (from Nothing's Gonna Change...)

Justin Townes Earle - "Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now" (from Nothing's Gonna Change...)