Critic's Pick: Shaboozey

Two summers ago, Shaboozey shot to the top of the Billboard charts with a catchy-as-hell tune that cross-stitched the lines of a nostalgic hip-hop song with his take on foot-stompin’ country twang. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became an inescapable hit that proved to be the launching pad for a career that now includes multiple platinum-selling certifications, international tours and a Grammy. For his follow-up, he couldn’t just copy and paste “A Bar Song” for an encore round. He wouldn’t be the first in Nashville to adopt an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality to hitmaking had he done so, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, Shaboozey’s new album — called The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales — finds the singer-songwriter flexing his muscles as a six-string storyteller. On the 20-track release, Shaboozey weaves an expansive tale of love and revenge that adds to the pantheon of must-hear country music concept albums. To help tell the story, he enlists guest collaborations from Jamie Foxx, Sam Elliott, Leon Bridges and more. And like most stories, chapters from The Outlaw Cherie are best when experienced with friends. This weekend, Shaboozey brings the new album to Ascend Amphitheater as part of his ongoing Outlaws Never Die Tour. Canadian singer-songwriter Noeline Hofmann will appear in support.

8 p.m. at Ascend Amphitheater

310 First Ave. S.