The former Dishwalla frontman’s take on pop-rock is by turns tender and triumphant. Richards' raw and resilient vocals provide a ballast throughout, whether anchoring bluesy beats, tinkling piano, or silky strings. War is a frequent metaphor, but the real theme is courage: "I will give, but I won't give in," he howls on "Mortals," which drifts over smoky, trip-hop beats. Still, the battle raging in his head informs the heart-wrenching core: "I've lost myself here," he laments over a rumbling bassline on "Come to Tears," the album's grittiest hunk of rock.