Dirt Road Souls may be a new band, but their skills and sound are as accomplished as can be. We are dealing here with Boston roots-rock veterans Davis Black aka Dave Yuknat (vocals, guitar), Brian Sargent (upright bass, vocals, mandolin), and Rick Weden (drums). Their debut record spins a myth: (The Life and Times of) Johnny Moonshine plays like a half-remembered barroom yarn, where truth matters less than feeling. Twelve dusty tracks sketch out the rise and unraveling of a small-town anti-hero with a taste for trouble, love, and late-night bad decisions that make better stories.

There’s a loose, lived-in charm and warmth to the remarkably soulful mix of bluesy Americana, country rock, and Southern gothic, with a knack for melody, at times reminiscent of the Rolling Stones. Obviously, the album is best experienced as a whole, but individual songs also hold up well; highlights include Next To You (a glimpse into rural small-town nightlife and the pure optimism of getting near the person you desire most), Dreams (Johnny and Jenny, now together, have a heart to heart—with guest vocals by Ava McCabe), Bright Light White Heat (the rebel’s luck runs out), and Whiskey Bottle Blues (the titular character makes more wrong choices). This is lived experience turned into music, hitting that sweet spot between romanticism and regret. I am an instant fan.

The “roots-rock opera” (The Life and Times of) Johnny Moonshine—written by Dave Yuknat, produced and recorded by Brian Sargent—is out now digitally (self-released).

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp