On
Kristin Diable's third LP,
Create Your Own Mythology, she does as the title suggests, building a rich, bluesy Southern world framed nicely in a 1970s throwback studio luster courtesy of producer Dave Cobb (
Sturgill Simpson,
Jason Isbell). The Baton Rouge native has been honing her torchy, soulful roots rock since the early 2000s, releasing a pair of solid albums from her stints living in New York and later in New Orleans, where she has since settled down. While her earlier efforts were enjoyable enough, she seems to have found her footing on
Mythology, which bursts with confidence, melody, swagger, and a dark sensuality. Wrapping
Diable's smoky voice in the same retro Nashville warmth that made
Sturgill Simpson's 2014 release so compelling, producer Cobb has given her music the kick it needed to ascend to the next level. This is easily her strongest outing yet. ~ Timothy Monger