Nick Lowe The Convincer

Here Lowe expands on the torchy twang of ’90s albums The Impossible Bird and Dig My Mood, working with a dozen shades of blue. “You look like butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth, but I know it will,” he croons on “Homewrecker,” set to a slow simmer with cruising organ and ’60s soul guitar. Even when quickening the pulse with country shuffle “Has She Got a Friend?” and the Spector-meets-Bacharach pop drama of “Cupid Must Be Angry,” Lowe sings only for the lonely.