Foy Vance

With his Rounder Records debut, Northern Ireland-born singer/songwriter Foy Vance shares a selection of songs built on his soulful convergence of folk and Southern blues, at turns devastating and ecstatic and wildly illuminating. Produced by Ethan Johns (the Brit Award-winning producer known for his work with Paul McCartney, Ray LaMontagne, and more), the Scotland-based artist’s latest body of work ranges from the heavy-hearted yet rapturous “Call Me Anytime” (a tender reflection on the many dimensions of his experience in fatherhood) to the gloriously chaotic “a.i.” (a nine-minute outcry on the looming crisis of AI’s unchecked ascent). Meanwhile, on “I Think I Preferred The Question,” Vance vents his frustration at those who attempt to impose their beliefs on others, bringing both introspective candor and canny observation to his intimate exploration of the human condition. A prime vessel for his powerfully gritty vocal work, the result is the purest distillation yet of Vance’s truly singular artistry, imparting a defiant joy into songs of longing and loss and hard-won acceptance.