Rick Hart’s country tunes feel timeless, both musically and lyrically. His golden voice makes his teary laments or romantic overtures all the more affecting, whether he’s on his lonesome or duetting with the likes of Elysia Gomez or his wife, Vanessa Hart. His 2014 debut single “Spiral” showcased the heartfelt influence of soul music in his vocals, and 2015’s “City Lights” dabbled in jaunty honky-tonk. On 2017’s “Sweet Emmylou,” which Hart penned while away at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, he captures the homesickness of touring life and missing Vanessa while substituting her name with that of a country icon. It’s not his only hat-tip to a legend, with The Band’s drummer earning the title treatment on the good-humoured “Levon Helm.” Even when Hart is communicating a deep seam of sadness, his singing has a natural levity that makes us think there could be light at the end of the tunnel. Observe 2024’s “Pale Imitation,” on which he sings about being a shadow of a man after his great love has left. The lyrics may sting, but the song itself retains the warmth of a romantic flame still lit.