Jimmy Robinson, New Orleans singer and guitar-twanger extraordinaire, has just released a new album. Vibrating Strings is his first solo acoustic work, and on it, the Twangorama alum covers a wide variety of subject matter, though much of it revolves around darkness, fear, and loss. Robinson has referred to these themes as “true stories” which have coalesced into 17 compelling, often tragic songs. One is simply titled “Pain,” and the track “Drinking Buddies” is based on a childhood friend of Robinson’s who lost a battle with alcoholism. The album is emotionally charged, but Robinson’s passion and verve allows the heavy subject matter of his music to command the listener’s attention without seeming overwrought.

What would Freud say about Jimmy Robinson? Nothing—Freud’s been dead for 70 years. What would I say? That I was left with the impression that, along with the rest of us, Katrina hit Robinson hard, and, as a capable musician, he’s been able to translate that into heartfelt, virtuosic musicianship. Amid the frenetic chords of “Darkest Part of the Night,” Robinson sings, “Night falls on you hard and fast / An avalanche, a hurricane blowin’ through the room / Buries you deep in dark / In that secret place where you always hide.”