Gary Clark Jr.

It's been quite some time ― probably since the arrival of Stevie Ray Vaughan in the early '80s ― that a bona fide blues guitar hero has captured the imagination of the wider listening public. Austin's Gary Clark Jr. could be such a figure for his generation, if this brief but satisfying EP is any indication. While too many guitarists since Vaughan's untimely death have fallen into the trap of copping his licks, what is so refreshing about Clark's technique is that, while firmly grounded in blues fundamentals, it takes the hip-hop-informed work of artists like the Black Keys to the next logical level. In some ways, it's an approach similar to what Jimi Hendrix did in blending the raw power of Eric Clapton with the soul music that made up the other major component of his background. Make no mistake, songs like "Bright Lights" and "Don't Owe You A Thang" clearly show that Clark is monster player, but he also has an artistic vision. I already can't wait for more of it to be revealed.