The Day After the Night Before (Self-released, 2016)

Terry Binion is an expressive singer and uncommonly revealing songwriter, who makes the kind of music that easily gets under the skin. Yes, she'll likely be compared to other women with a similarly suggestive style, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Shawn Colvin among them. Still, there could be far worse things said about an artist than a comparison to the best. And in Binion's case, those similarities not only make sense, but they clearly demonstrate the kind of authority and ability that could quickly move her to a higher plateau.

The Orlando, Fla. resident sings from the heart, and while many artists claim to do so as well, Binion's songs are so emotive and expressive, it's almost as if that talent comes naturally. The songs come in the wake of a year in which Binion lost her wife and both parents. Whether it's the troubled tones of "Walking In Circles," the soft shuffle of "These Days" or the supple designs of "Orphan Boy" with its unexpected transition into Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," Binion seems to pull out all the stops when it comes to sharing her heartfelt laments. She never forces the listener to soak up her sadness, but instead she details her circumstances with such a slow, sobering cadence, it not only pulls her audiences in, but also allows them to seize on the sentiments and then ponder them for themselves.

That said, "The Day After the Night Begins" is a powerful piece of work, not because it's bitter or bombastic, but, rather, because the music is simply so affecting, allowing it to make an immediate connection even on first listen. The songs are rugged and resilient, yet quiet and caressing all at the same time. Like her previous two efforts, Binion shows her mastery at expressing deeply felt feelings that are common to all. In a competitive arena, her success isn't necessarily assured, but for anyone seeking the assurance of a common bond, Binion can be considered an admirable choice.