For Sing It Loud, k.d. lang is working with a self-contained group that gives her a new consistency of sound. Recorded in Nashville, the album leans towards country music but with an artsy-touch that’s in line with her earlier records in spirit and alt-country and adult-contemporary in sound. She’s what we might expect Patsy Cline, one of her heroes, to sound like in the 21st century. “The Water’s Edge” is fully mature. Her voice takes off for the heavens and the tremolo guitar gives the song a vaguely sinister, retro vibe. “Perfect World” sounds like it was written for Chris Isaak and then reeled back in for lang, who, with a pedal steel guitar haunting her from behind, turns the song into one of her finest in years. The cover of Talking Heads’ ‘Heaven” is virtually unrecognizable, transformed into a song of desert isolation. “Sugar Buzz” aches with lang’s trademark sensuality. The Deluxe Version includes three bonus cuts, the quick-stepping “I Am the Winner,” the loping C&W “Hollywood Kids” and the truly remarkable “Hungry Bird” that’s as dark and mysterious as a David Lynch film.