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The Weakness is both familiar and boundary-pushing for Ruston Kelly.

The “Dirt Emo” singer-songwriter has long since proved his ability as more than just an Americana/Folk writer (Radio Cloud’s Blink-182-ness is undeniable). Still, songs like the lead single, “The Weakness,” and the title track, “Michael Keaton,” put an exclamation point on that fact. Those who have been following him since “Black Magic” and “Mockingbird” will find familiar ground in this album. However, tracks such as “Mending Song,” “Better Now,” and “Cold Black Mile” introduce a new side of raw and sincere admissions of heartbreak. His skillful ability to paint scenes and detail heartache while leaving the perfect amount of room for levity will leave you wanting to return to this record over and over again.

The penultimate track from the record, “Wicked Hands,” is easily one of my favorite songs that Kelly has ever released. The mid-tempo song is introduced by electric guitar, kick, and hi-hat, followed by Ruston’s unique gravelly doubled vocals. This song is not only another example of how far Ruston Kelly’s sound has grown as a musician and songwriter but also one of the clearest indicators that he has not forgotten his past. He opens the song with a direct reference to “Black Magic,” the first full-length song from his 2017 debut album, Halloween. The song chorus says clearly, “Love ain’t nothing more than black magic, better want what you wish for it might happen,” and “Wicked Hands” seems to detail that prophecy played out. He describes love lost (several songs from the record seem to be about his high-profile divorce from Kacey Musgraves), addiction, and struggling to be a better man before ending the song with a painful, repeated plea, “God help me hide my wicked hands.”

The best part about this record is Ruston Kelly’s capacity to navigate both sorrow and joy. Saying that this is a “heartbreak record” would be a stretch too far. He weaves in and out of songs about pain and love with the ease of someone who has been telling stories their entire life. More than just heartache, this record is a turning point, a reflection of past mistakes, and a hope that the future can and will be brighter. It’s pointing the finger at yourself, learning to love the people that have hurt you, and forgiving yourself for hurting them, too. It’s learning to laugh again, to love again, to accept the things you cannot change, and to have the courage to change the things you can.