The game Cody Jinks changes on this, his 12th album, concerns his sobriety. Recognizing that his outlaw bit done got out of hand, Jinks entered recovery somewhere after the completion of his 2021 album Mercy. He doesn't hide his journey, opening Change the Game with "Sober Thing," one of many explicit nods to the maturation he's experienced since kicking the bottle (including a song called "Take This Bottle"). He may have left booze behind, but he doubles down on outlaw, delivering a lean, sinewy, and purposeful collection of songs that stripped off any excesses. While the vibe can be a little heavy -- even the fun, fast cuts carry a sense of determination -- it's clear that sobriety has focused Jinks as an artist, leading him to deliver one of his tightest records. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine