Christian Lee Hutson’s latest record, Paradise Pop. 10, is out Friday, treating listeners to what his Spotify bio describes as “a lot like finding an unpublished collection of short stories.” The record shifts seamlessly from sparse and delicate piano pieces to rockers that toe the barnstorming line.

“Tiger” opens the record softly, calling to mind the quieter, electronics-tinged moments on the National’s Sleep Well Beast. “Carousel Horses” follows, immediately demonstrating Hutson’s range with stabbing guitars, subtle banjo lines and an ending that borders on discordant but never loses touch with the melodic flavor that seems to flow so easily from Hutson.

The single “Beauty School,” which closes the album, moves with the most energy on the record, laden with fuzzy guitars, some upbeat, whimsical piano playing and Weezer-like catchiness. It sounds like Hutson is consoling a partner, and perhaps himself, through the changes that life offers and closes the album on a positive note, claiming that “everything is different now” in such a way that makes it seem like that might not be the worst thing ever. After all, it’s preceded by the proclamation that Hutson is intending to turn his life around, and based on the sincerity and honesty that he writes with throughout Paradise Pop. 10, it’s hard not to believe him.

In songs like “After Hours,” Hutson writes with the effortless specificity and imagery seen in his friend, collaborator and producer Phoebe Bridgers’ work, while incorporating Matt Berninger’s illumination of small, intimate moments, i.e. “At night I take the train home/sinking to new lows/and picture you practicing pirouettes.” The song, one of the album’s understated highlights, follows the time-honored tradition of informing a long gone ex on the happenings of Hutson’s life, of which he pulls no punches in admitting he doesn’t do much besides reminisce.

If songcraft were a genre, Christian Lee Hutson would be more aptly categorized into it than he is with the folk and alt-country niches he finds himself cast into. The songs that make up his third record are smooth, thoughtfully constructed and precisely produced. Hutson demonstrates restraint throughout, displaying a sort of musical maturity that can be difficult to attain when surrounded with a plethora of opportunities to make a song more than it needs to be. Paradise Pop. 10 is sonically an easy, consumable listen, but invites those interested to dive into the expertly woven narratives and self-effacing introspections that call to mind American songwriters both new and familiar.

order Paradise Pop. 10 by Christian Lee Hutson HERE