When Ryan Adams split with his backing band The Cardinals and started releasing heavy metal circa 2010, his future as one of alt-country's most enduring crooners seemed up in the air. Ashes & Fire laid all doubts to rest, though: it's one of Adams' most focused albums and arguably his best since his solo debut, Heartbreaker. The record stays in a warm, delicately instrumented pocket: the drums are mostly brushed, the guitars are mostly acoustic, and Adams' voice has a relaxed Topanga Canyon lilt to it. When a song like "Do I Wait" swells with Hammond organs and electric guitars, it's like a comet shooting across a starry sky. Highlights abound, but the 1-2-3 punch of "Save Me," "Kindness," and "Lucky Now" is simply breathtaking.