Erik Schrody has lived many lives. Most popularly, as a rapper in House of Pain, who are cemented in history thanks to a little cut called “Jump Around.” For just as long as he’s been a member of that trio, Schrody has been releasing solo music as Everlast. Everlast was a pioneer of the country-rap crossover long before it was a commercial smash, and he revives that spirit on Embers to Ashes, his first solo effort since 2018. “Losing Man’s Game” is a straight-ahead country ballad, with Everlast stripping his hip-hop past for the immediacy of Americana heartbreak. On “Stones,” his raspy voice croons over a shuffling drum groove and finger-picked acoustic guitar melody. He reckons with his own dependence on alcohol, presenting a clear-eyed analysis of his own failures when it comes to this weakness. “God knows I know you’re sick of me/Well, I’m sick of me too,” he admits. Our Favorite Track: The organ-led uptempo romp “Peace of Mind.”