Ariel Bui’s self-titled album lands right in the sweet spot of contemporary Americana. Its first half leans toward trad country flavored with a dash of R&B, expertly played by a host of locals — a highlight is “Moon Over Kentucky,” an account of how the wide-traveling singer-songwriter made her way to Nashville. If you prefer your story songs to stretch out a little further, head straight for the second half, which is marked with touches of psychedelic soul, cool jazz, post-WWII vocal pop and lots more, sometimes in the same song. Bonus: If you buy the album on vinyl, your copy will have never touched a computer, having gone straight to tape through producer Andrija Tokic’s analog console at his Eastside studio The Bomb Shelter. Bui celebrates the album’s release on Wednesday at your favorite Dickerson Road diner, with help from local faves Mom and Dad as well as X/W, the post-punk pride of Cocoa, Fla. STEPHEN TRAGESER
Ariel Bui Album Release Feat. Mom and Dad & X/W
