With two new albums out this month, Pete Cullen is laying out two sides of himself in song. One Way In is decidedly high throttle rockabilly, and while there is some overlap, here Cullen strips it back, opens his shoulders and sings a batch of decidedly more alt-country songs.

The mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation frame songs that reflect on a life well-lived with Cullen’s keening melodies and versatile voice fitting right in the musical pocket. Nothing sounds forced and he’s found the right balance between the more upbeat songs (Dirty Fangs), low down dirty blues (Memphis), gospel (Elvis Talk To Jesus) and tear-stained country (Valentine Princess).

Chris Familton