This new year arrives with the guarantee of some top-notch outlaw fare courtesy of AJ Hobbs. The California-bred singer/guitarist follows up a kick-butt roadhouse rocker, the title track, by connecting with his inner Texan on the Waylon-worthy “Life Without You”.  The sole cover is a soulful slower-tempo take on the Merle Haggard gem “The Bottle Let Me Down”, further freshened by a punchy horn chart.  A classic country “story” song, “Daddy Loved The Lord”, and an equally vintage Nashville- flavored ballad, “Eastside”, stand out as well.  Production and backup are first-rate.