I maintain a playlist called Golden that pulls together a bunch of songs that give me fall shivers and nostalgic heartstring tugs. There’s loads of Beck’s Sea Change, Kurt Vile’s Walking on a Pretty Day, Steve Gunn’s Sundowner, Elliott Smith, Damien Jurado, Lord Huron, and now…Chris Staples.

Staples’ new album, Golden Age, shares more in common with those songs and that feeling than its title. There’s a type of sadness, without being maudlin. And maybe that’s to be expected. After a rough patch where Staples was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes that resulted in pancreas failure, a bike accident that required surgery, and the dissolution of a long-term relationship, Chris Staples is afforded some sad bastard time.

But that’s what’s great about this record: it’s not sad bastard music. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE me some of that. But Staples’ album maintains a bit of pop bounce with lovely melodies and simple production. It’s been described as a “subtle” record, which I guess is as good anything I would come up to describe the production. Because subtlety implies hidden complexity, and this record has that in spades.

Give a listen to lead off track “Relatively Permanent” and tell me you aren’t ready to sit down with Chris, have a beer, and talk about where you grew up.

Catch Chris Staples on tour all Fall ’16 with Rocky Votolato

08.30.16 – Seattle, WA @ Record Release Show aboard the Steamship Virginia
08.31.16 – Spokane, WA @ The Bartlett supporting Rocky Votolato
09.01.16 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux supporting Rocky Votolato
09.02.16 – Provo, UT @ Velour supporting Rocky Votolato
09.03.16 – Denver, CO @ Hi Dive supporting Rocky Votolato
09.06.16 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room supporting Rocky Votolato
09.07.16 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry supporting Rocky Votolato
09.08.16 – Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s supporting Rocky Votolato
09.09.16 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar supporting Rocky Votolato
09.10.16 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop supporting Rocky Votolato
09.11.16 – Columbus, OH@ Rubma Cafe supporting Rocky Votolato
09.13.16 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe supporting Rocky Votolato
09.14.16 – Philadelphia, PA@ Johnny Brenda’s supporting Rocky Votolato
09.15.16 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott supporting Rocky Votolato
09.16.16 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge supporting Rocky Votolato
09.17.16 – Washington, DC @ DC9 supporting Rocky Votolato
09.19.16 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Local 662 supporting Rocky Votolato
09.20.16 – Orlando, FL @ The Backbooth supporting Rocky Votolato
09.22.16 – Houston, TX @ Rudyard’s supporting Rocky Votolato
09.23.16 – Ft. Worth, TX @ The Live Oak supporting Rocky Votolato
09.24.16 – Austin, TX @ The Parish supporting Rocky Votolato
09.27.16 – Albuquerque, NM @ Low Spirits supporting Rocky Votolato
09.28.16 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge supporting Rocky Votolato
09.29.16 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress supporting Rocky Votolato
09.30.16 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah supporting Rocky Votolato
10.01.16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater supporting Rocky Votolato
10.03.16 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brew supporting Rocky Votolato
10.04.16 – Reno, NV @ The Holland Project supporting Rocky Votolato
10.05.16 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill supporting Rocky Votolato
10.07.16 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios supporting Rocky Votolato
10.08.16 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern supporting Rocky Votolato