Described by Matthew Ryan as “an album in defense of our humanity amid the modern conflict,” I Recall Standing is a tense collection of tunes that prove this Pennsylvania-born, East Coast troubadour is paying close attention to the world at hand. It’s practically a natural reflex after the intense introspection of his fantastic Dear Lover album. “The Sea” begins things with a muted rasp that evokes the bad news expected from a Twilight Singers album. The acoustic “I Don’t Want a Third World War” is a grim lament that looks a child in the eye and tells her, “You shouldn’t expect too much.” “Hey Kid” rallies the youth to make their voices heard. “Harmonium Song” comes as advertised, a bleak, droning plea. “I Still Believe In You,” featuring Olly Knights of Turin Brakes, is another piece of brilliant minimalism. “My Darker Side” sits at the piano like Neil Young during one of his long, dark nights of the soul. Even the full-out rock of “All Hail the Kings of Trash” has an apocalyptic gravity pulling it to the earth. This is a career highlight.