Emotional Traffic

Tim McGraw is evolving before our eyes and ears, transforming from an earnest chronicler of small-town sentiments to a versatile pop balladeer with angst to spare. His most adult contemporary album yet, Emotional Traffic features “Halo,” an anguished portrait of a disintegrating marriage, with chiming guitars and an anthemic chorus that's nearly Coldplay–esque. McGraw returns to his signature new-traditional twang with a cover of Dee Ervin’s “One Part, Two Part” (sung as a duet with wife Faith Hill). Anyone familiar with Buddy & Julie Miller’s version of the tune will find this rendition a little more rocking and bluesy. Another standout duet (this time with Ne-Yo) perfectly blends a quiet storm–flavored slow jam with a country-pop ballad. An effortlessly natural performer, McGraw is still one of country's top dogs whose vistas expand with every release.