Miami-based Steven A. Clark grew up in the shadow of Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina. There was little about his time there that suggested the sweeping musical sound brewing in his head; he received the distinction of "Most Quiet" in his high school yearbook. Clark broke the silence in 2012 with a well-received indie release cheekily titled Fornication Under Consent of the King (check the acronym), and in 2015, he dropped his major-label debut, Lonely Roller. He's released another full-length since then, 2018's Where Neon Goes to Die, a shiny and glitzy number, which may hide darkness underneath.

The title track from 2015's "Lonely Roller" sets the thematic and emotional stage: an immediately danceable tune that location-checks Las Vegas in the first line. You'd be forgiven for thinking Clark is embarking on an album of sleek but soulless dance-floor bangers, but his voice pierces the gated drums and cavernous reverb on songs like standout "Can't Have," and reveals a sharp observational eye and emotionally capacious lyricist.

Listen to Steven A. Clark play songs from Lonely Roller in-studio from this 2015 session.