Nakota Nation quartet Indigenous refine and expand their already impressive sound on their second studio full-length album, Circle. These twenty-somethings prove themselves to be the most rounded of all the young guns. They embrace instrumental subtleties over rapid-fire blues scale exercises and emotionally engaging singing over howling vocals. And they write good songs, too--nine of the 11 tunes are originals, and all demonstrate grace, maturity, and soulfulness. The big organ with lightly distorted, snaking-guitar-lines sound works well for the group throughout. Thankfully, they deviate from the overtly (though capably rendered) Stevie Ray-ish sound of the opening track, "Little Time." The pedal steel-flavored album closer--famed Vaughn collaborator Doyle Bramhall's "The Moon Is Shining"--is a lovely, light-as-a-cloud number that definitely leaves the listener wanting more. Guitarist and singer Mato Nanji is truly a talent for the ages. --James Conde

This one topped the list of Billboard Top Ten blues albums for 4 months shortly after its release. It's hard to say that it belonged there, not because it isn't a fine record, but because it's more rock than blues. Circle was produced by Texas singer/songwriter Doyle Bramhall, who is perhaps best known for his work with Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's a solid release, but don't expect anything fancy. In fact, many of the songs on Circle tend to sound very similar -- and it doesn't help that some segue into the next one seamlessly, which only serves to accentuate their sameness and add to the predictability. Mato Nanji is a flawless guitar player, but his prowess here is slightly dampened by the acoustic guitar that lies a layer beneath some of the songs, resulting in less punch. His voice, however, is magnificent: full and haunting, not unlike that of Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker. -- Ann Wicksham