John Paul White/Lera Lynn

Best known as one-half of the country/folk duo the Civil Wars, a band that released two studio albums to critical acclaim and won three Grammy Awards, singer-guitarist John Paul White just released his second solo album, Beulah, last year, making it his first solo album in almost a decade. He wrote the Southern folk record in the aftermath of two major events: the break-up of his band in 2013 and the co-creation of his record label, Single Lock Records, with Alabama Shakes keyboardist Ben Tanner. As a result, the lyrics on his record reveal some of his inner, dark demons, while the melodies and folk instrumentation come off as enlivened, inspired and hopeful. Though it’s unlikely he would bring out any Civil Wars’ tunes to play live alongside his solo work, White has been known to liven up his live sets with covers, including songs by the likes of the Beach Boys, Electric Light Orchestra and Jerry Lee Lewis. Songs from Beulah like the bluesy, soulful “What’s So” and the acoustic slow jam “The Martyr” will delight Civil Wars’ fans, White fans and music fans alike. (Elizabeth Manno)