

Brett Kissel is only in his mid-thirties, but the Alberta-born singer-songwriter has been in the country music game since debuting in 2003 at the age of 12. It’s fitting, then, that this album from Kissel is lived-in and comfortable, as the award-winning artist stretches out a bit and serves up his take on contemporary country rock. Highlights include opener “Cowboys & Dreamers,” a loose and moody road song with a rambling beat, and the title track, which urges listeners to live with abandon. Kissel also brings along some of the friends he’s made over the years, tapping collaborators for four tracks. Emerging Texas singer-songwriter Don Louis joins Kissel on “Get the Hell Out of This Town,” a midtempo ballad with an unexpected narrative, as a down-and-out man buys the town preacher a beer and the two commiserate as “burned-out believers.” “Two of Us” features up-and-comer Cooper Alan, who also co-wrote the tune, for a Kenny Chesney-esque celebration of knocking back a couple cold ones after a long week of work. Country veteran Phil Vassar lends an assist on “Rich Is,” a tender, ’90s-influenced portrait of spiritual wealth. And Kissel closes out the project with the Morgan Klaiber collaboration “All This Cowboy Needs,” an emotional duet with a classic country sound.