World on the Ground in Bloomington, MN

Over a decade into what is still a relatively young career, Americana singer/songwriter
Sarah Jarosz
finds the sweet spot on
World on the Ground
, her compelling fifth LP. Moving away from the more confessional narratives of her previous releases, the Texas native shifts into storytelling mode with marvelous results. Since debuting in 2009 (while still in high school),
Jarosz
has established herself as a dulcet-voiced multi-instrumentalist with a knack for versatility and infusing originality into a genre built around well-trodden tropes. The elegance of her craft has never been more apparent than on standouts like "Eve" and "Johnny," two richly detailed character studies whose tales of coming and going are underpinned with drama and surprising melodic shifts. Turning the lens back on herself, the plaintive "What Do I Do" picks up the thread of transience that seems to be at the heart of
, adding lush strings to an otherwise sparse arrangement of double-tracked vocals and guitar. Whether singing about characters on the move, or willfully and sometimes unexpectedly returned to their hometowns,
imbues her stories with grace and humanity, transcending the general roots music tag with organic and effective songwriting. With such a solid set of songs, her effortless vocals and playing style are that much more of a joy to listen to. ~ Timothy Monger