For years, Dylan LeBlanc has sort of been one of those secret singer-songwriter powerhouses that permeate the American South, even as bloggers burn pixels by the gallon to declare the death of rock. If there is any justice in the musical world, LeBlanc’s new album Renegade will push him further into the national consciousness. Produced by the current King Midas of country, Dave Cobb, and recorded in about 10 days, Renegade is a sturdy slab of buzzy Southern rock topped off with LeBlanc’s spectral tenor and a set of searing guitar leads. The end result is something like a swampier Neil Young, or Tom Petty steeped in soul music—good stuff that deserves attention from many ears. by Ben Salmon