Nikki Lane, to put it bluntly, isn't taking shit from anyone. The Americana-country singer-songwriter returns sounding big, bold and badass, with an assist from producer Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone. And while you can hear his influences (full-bodied sound, a confident strut and superb drums from frequent collaborator Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys) on the record, there is no mistaking who is in charge. "I can buy my own damn denim and diamonds," Lane belts out on "Denim & Diamonds," a self-reliance anthem boosted by glammed-up blues rock. "Just remember what Cher says," she proclaims. "'Mom, I am a rich man'"—a reference to a legendary quote from the icon, delivered in response to Cher's mother encouraging her to settle down and marry a rich man. (It's a quote Taylor Swift also allegedly has hanging on her tour-bus walls.) "Born Tough" is perfectly honky tonk crossed with John Mellencamp and finds Lane chafing at living in a "man's world": "My mama … said that we could buy a set of tools/ so that I could build my own life and play by my own rules." On her first record in five years—a span of time which has seen her collaborate with Spiritualized and Lana Del Rey—Lane definitely plays by her own rules, but it puts her squarely in the same arena of Lucinda Williams, Shelby Lynne and Bonnie Raitt, women who follow no one. "Black Widow" is outlaw country glam, right down to the call-to-action handclaps, about a "full metal woman in a thrift store jacket," warning the listener they "Shoulda known better by that little red letter/ On her back like a varsity sign." "Good Enough" boasts a lovely ascending-note chorus and a gentle Western swing, with seductive pedal steel from Matthew Pynn, who also steps up on ballad "Faded," which feels like a cut from the movie The Rose. "Try Harder" might make you miss Whiskeytown, while "Live/Love" hints at what might happen if Sheryl Crow got really country. Moody ballad "Chimayo" ropes in mariachi guitar flair, and "First High" relies on glam guitar licks and sinuous bass in the elusive chase of a feel-good first—be it a kiss, cigarette or concert: "Ooh, take me back to the first dream/ 501 blue jeans tighter than goddamn Springsteen/ Take me back to the first show/ Right back to the first note/ When I knew my heart was pure rock 'n' roll/ I'm still searching for that first high." At the same time, Lane is giving just that to fans. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz