Angels and Alcohol

Audio Mixer: John Kelton.Recording information: The Castle; The Sound Station and House of Blues Studios.Photographer: Kristy Belcher.When he was a young gun, Alan Jackson attempted to sound like an old soul, so it's unsurprising middle age suits him, finding him deepening rather than struggling. After spending a few years casually exploring his roots -- he cut a second gospel record and his first full-length bluegrass records -- the traditionalist returns to straight-ahead country on 2015's Angels and Alcohol. Working once again with his longtime partner Keith Stegall -- they've been together since Alan's 1990 debut Here in the Real World, taking only a short break in 2006 -- Jackson doesn't attempt anything new but he's also not living in the past, sliding references to cell phones into the quietly romantic "The One You're Waiting On" and generally acting his age, happy to be faithful, committed, and comfortable. Alan manages to not sound complacent on Angels and Alcohol because like