Amos Lee’s first album hinted at something special, but Supply and Demand is masterful. Amos’s eye for the details of everyday life and the way those details put the heart at perpetual risk is what gives his music its foundation. But it’s the melodies that keep you coming back. From the ironically rapturous “Shout Out Loud” to the devastating “Careless,” Amos sees loneliness as his Everest, and we hike up it with him because there’s always a chance that true love (or at least understanding) might be around the next bend. The trek is perilous but the view is spectacular.

We saw Amos last night at Town Hall in New York City. He’s become a superbly self-confident performer, and he had the audience in his palm. Honesty is a large part of his appeal–he’s authentic and he never panders. About half of the songs were new, and all got the same rousing response from the adoring fans. My favorite was “Night Train” from the new album. He shared with us that its arrangement came together on a beach with his band moments after he’d written it in a hotel room in France. All four players sang on it and it soared. Here’s the version of “Night Train” from Supply and Demand:

The most autobiographical song on the new record is “Careless.” If you’ve ever been disappointed in love by a close friend, you’ll relate to this one:

Amos says he wrote “Freedom” about something he witnessed in the halls of his high school, but the words are universal and feel like they’re about a much larger truth.

–Sean Coakley