Archie Roach was already in his mid-30s when he released his debut album—1990’s enduring Charcoal Lane—but the Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder didn’t waste time in building up a formidable songbook from there. A highlight amongst that catalogue is 2016’s Let Love Rule, which preaches a resounding message for connectivity and acceptance in a splintered world. The album reunites Roach with producer Craig Pilkington after 2012’s Into the Bloodstream, and features a striking cover portrait by Chinese artist-activist Ai Weiwei. And the world-class guests don’t stop there: Let Love Rule showcases two distinctive choirs (including one overseen by composer Deborah Cheetham), as well as backing singer Emma Donovan, guitarist Matt Walker, The Drones keyboardist Steve Hesketh and guitarist Jeff Lang (here lending pedal steel). The results are at once intimate and ambitious, finding a sweet spot between country, blues and folk. Roach’s voice is low yet rich following the drastic lung surgery he had in the early 2010s, and his delivery is impressively robust while buoyed by keys, slide guitar and didgeridoo on “Mighty Clarence River”. “It’s Not Too Late” pleads for common ground amidst hate and violence, and even more uplifting is the mariachi-inspired “Love is Everything”, featuring Argentinean charango player Jaime Torres. Let Love Rule gave Roach his highest chart ranking to date at the time, and with good reason.