There’s a long history of rock musicians flirting with the world of country, with everyone from Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler to the Supersuckers embracing the genre. Leather-lunged Answer frontman, Cormac Neeson, now joins those distinguished ranks for his debut solo album. The most personal collection of songs he’s ever put his name to, White Feather packs just as much punch as his work with The Answer. This time around, though, it’s delivered via powerful story-telling and stirring vocals, rather than fret-bothering guitar solos and Marshall amps.

Inspired by his son who was born three months premature with Down’s Syndrome, the ghosts of Nashville (where the opus was mostly conceived) haunts every tune on this immensely moving LP. Country, folk and gospel are all mined across the 10-tracks, with songs such as ‘Broken Wing’ reaffirming his status as one of Ireland’s finest singers. There’s a bit of early Rod Stewart in the DNA of some tracks, specifically the bluesy ‘Do Something Today’, and waltzing crossover hit ‘Song That Lives Forever’. While some Answer diehards may question the more tender approach, for our money, this musical detour delivers in spades.

Out now via Jaba Music.