As The Kearns Family, the Landers, California duo of Pat and Susan Kearns brings their folk and country ways to songs that take influence from ’60 and ’70s outlaw ideas, cosmic country and even power-pop nods in a desert-spirited sort of way.

“The Dust” starts the listen soft and eloquent, where Pat’s gentle guitar is met with Susan’s upright bass plucking. The singing from Pat is descriptive and raw, but not without beauty. “Bandito” follows a similar path, as cozy strumming is met with spirited harmonica, and “The Old Days” continues with a melodic mood that’s poetic and nostalgic both lyrically and musically.

Side A finishes with the rich and gentle “You Got No Claim To The Mine” which illuminates the raspy singing that is met with brighter guitar, while “Daytime Moon” carries an emotive presence of grace and beauty that’s immediately stirring.

The back half includes the gritty versus pretty folk songwriting of “The Funny Thing About Keeping Moving,” as well as the meticulous, soulful and moving “Charlie.” “Love Will Win In The End” is the final piece, and it’s a mesmerizing and dreamy moment of honest and wise artistry that is so well executed, it alone is worth the price of admission.

Similarities to Townes Van Zandt, John Craigie, Bonnie Prince Billy and John Prine won’t be hard to spot or appreciate here. It’s no surprise that Pat has recently picked up the Joshua Tree Voice award for Best Male Vocal. Along with Susan’s precise and memorable bass skills, Together And Alone also benefits from Pat’s engineering and producing talents performed in their solar-powered studio, and Susan’s many aesthetically pleasing talents that add even more allure to what just might be one of 2025's finest.

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