The Wild Swan

Now approved by pop royalty, the Bangor troubadour has hit his impressive stride. Put out by Ed Sheeran on his Gingerbread Man label and executive produced by avowed fan Elton John, Vance’s third album was recorded in Nashville with Tom Waits producer Jacquire King. That’s helped lace a swampy authenticity into his melodic roots-rock, particularly on “Upbeat Feelgood.” Whether it’s on the uplifting rumble of “Noam Chomsky Is a Soft Revolution” or the lovelorn “She Burns,” Vance’s poise is consistently excellent: never overreaching, never unnecessarily understated, his voice rings with soul and honesty throughout.