Justin Townes Earle released a stunning piece of work in the harrowing Single Mothers, but the album was only one half of a greater undertaking from the singer/songwriter. Earle will be returning in January with that album’s sequel, Absent Fathers. The album seems poised to follow in Mothers‘ spare, acoustic vein, if new single “Looking For A Place To Land” is any indication. In Earle’s capable hands, though, the song avoids being too saccharine or sappy, instead going straight for the gut and landing. You can listen to the song below, via Consequence Of Sound.

Absent Fathers comes out on January 15th on Vagrant Records.