Once alt. country's enfant terrible, Ryan Adams is fresh from a two-year hiatus and, though he may be older and wiser, his propensity to release new material quick-as-you-like is back as strong as ever. Following on from The Cardinals' III/IV and the heavy metal stylings of last year's Orion, Ashes & Fire is more familiar fare and there are stirrings that – whisper it – it may just be his best solo effort to date.

You can listen for yourself here. Adams' first release on Capitol records, Ashes & Fire, is out October 10 and will be preceded by the single 'Lucky Now'.