This journey of life can be a long and difficult path wrecked by heartache, lamentable decisions and hopelessness. While the specifics may be unique, the pains are universal. Country Music has long served as a songwriting tool to bind us through these hardships; choosing to embrace these common hurdles rather than shy away from them.

On Little Bandit's debut full-length, Breakfast Alone, these tenants of the genre are embraced wholeheartedly. Aurally, frontman and primary songwriter Alex Caress provides plenty of vocal twang and driving piano accompanied by his backing bands rolling bass and swirling pedal steel. Lyrically, Caress skillfully takes on the task of weaving tales of heartache, stories of loves lost and occasionally putting on a knowing grin to espouse the gleeful weariness of alcoholism.

When done right, the traditional country experience is one of comradery and fellowship as you imbibe in life's shared difficulties. No one has the answers but Little Bandit's ability to bond us through reflection is carrying on a time honored tradition the likes of Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price, George Jones and Tammy Wynette would approve of.