Following a series of Country Bangers, Los Angeles-based neo-psych outfit Caravan 222 split their third full-lengther neatly in two: side A is Rowdy and side B is Pouty. Listeners will likely prefer one over the other (you can guess mine from the embeds below), but the flip side holds its own as well. The band makes both flavors feel surprisingly natural, cooking with alt-country, roots rock, and 1970s singer-songwriter melancholy, all the while sipping steel, soul, and tape-warmed grit.

Linda Ronstadt vocals meeting Rolling Stones swagger, as they put it themselves, but to bring it into the here and now, imagine the bravado of Natural Child and the sultry vibe of Dope Lemon, drenched in Americana. However, these musicians never sound like they’re simply dressing up in borrowed clothes. This is a dusty, passionate, and unpolished record that is easy to love, with enough California sunshine to keep the blues from settling in.

Rowdy & Pouty is out digitally—reportedly, vinyl is also on the way—via Clairvoyant Records / Honey House.

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