If Lola Kirke’s face is familiar, it’s likely not just for her whimsical album covers and promo photos. Part of an artistic group of sisters that includes actor Jemima and singer Domino Kirke, she has appeared as an actor in a glut of TV shows and movies, including Mozart in the Jungle and Sinners (yes, that was her as the evil folk-singing vampire).

Despite Kirke’s on-screen success, her music does not fall into the Hollywood vanity project category — not by a long shot. Her first EP came out a decade ago, and since then she has been steadily gravitating towards country music. Despite being raised in the heart of New York City (she’s since moved to Nashville), torch and twang is a natural fit. The songs on her latest album Trailblazer, are remarkably vulnerable, delivered with soul and a honey sweet voice. The album was released around the same time as Kirke’s raw memoir Wild West Village, and the singer-songwriter/author was clearly in the mood to keep things real.

As heartfelt as Kirke’s songs are, they’re also a lot of fun and Kirke meets every heartbreaker with a sassy wink and a hook. Built on storytelling, swagger and equal parts dive bar confession and indie-rock catharsis, Kirke’s music gives a glimpse of an artist having a heck of a time exploring every facet of self-expression at her disposal.

- Elizabeth Chorney-Booth