On Son Volt’s new record, "Union," present and past mingle into strong confluence. The 13 new songs written by founder Jay Farrar confront our turbulent politics and articulate the clarity and comfort music can offer in the tumult. “There are so many forces driving our country apart,” observes Jay. “What can we do to bring our society back together?” The country and blues sounds explored by Son Volt on its last two records (2013’s "Honky Tonk" and 2017’s "Notes of Blue") linger in the grooves of "Union." But the new record nods to many other mile markers along the band’s 25-year path. Some tunes offer a powerful return to the ringing lyrical clarity of 2005’s "Okemah" and "Melody of Riot,"and 2007’s "The Search." Others hearken back to the freewheeling poetic melodicism of 1994’s "Trace" and 1997’s "Straightaways." This is an album and a show that see one of Americana's great bands both looking back and continuing to drive forward.

Kentucky songwriter Ian Noe opens.