Nightroamer
Nightroamer opens Sarah Shook & the Disarmers' country sound towards cleaner rock and pop melodies. The pedal steel and drawling voice still give the music its roots, while producer Pete Anderson keeps the performances tight. The change produces several effective songs, although the country and indie-rock sides do not always settle comfortably together.
Somebody Else introduces the record with electric guitar and pedal steel sharing the space around Shook's direct singing. The middle-paced arrangement is clear and inviting, even as the words deal with a relationship that needs to end. Been Lovin' You adds organ colour to a more weary performance, allowing the voice to communicate uncertainty without an elaborate arrangement.
If It's Poison takes a slower, older pop-influenced approach. A brief distorted guitar solo adds a useful jolt to the softer setting. No Mistakes is more firmly country, with a bouncy rhythm, prominent steel guitar and a memorable hook. Those songs make different uses of the same instrumental character, giving the opening half some welcome contrast.
The title track brings percussion and steel into a warmer, more restless combination. It Doesn't Change Anything works through a simpler melody, with guitar and pedal steel taking turns to add detail. Shook's economical singing keeps the feeling direct, even when the instruments become more active around it.
The later songs move further towards pop and rock. I Got This has a brighter hook and layered vocals, while Believer gives its melody a softer setting. Talkin' To Myself ends with a more forceful, punchy performance. The band remain capable across these changes, and the final song restores some of the energy that the quieter material holds back.
The range is interesting, but the sequence can feel divided. Some performances sound hesitant rather than deliberately restrained, and the different styles occasionally interrupt the album's connection instead of widening it. The singing carries character, although its narrow range will not suit every listener.
Nightroamer still offers plenty to enjoy. Anderson gives the arrangements clarity, and the strongest songs balance a good melody with the band's less polished personality. It is a worthwhile expansion of their sound, with enough distinctive country detail to keep the move towards pop from becoming anonymous.
