With a title referring to an unofficial geologic epoch defined by human impact, Anthropocene is the Western Vinyl debut of Indiana native Peter Oren.

Like his 2016 self-released Living in Light, it features an electric guitar-bolstered acoustic palette that invites elements of country, blues, folk, and rock into Oren's gritty yet graceful singer/songwriter fare.

Here, though, a few additional instruments like pedal steel and Wurlitzer are among those covered by a backing band put together by Wilco's Ken Coomer, who also served as drummer and producer on the album.

It's a predictably weighty, or at least well-considered collection of songs, with lyrics like the closer's "Welcome to this record/Goodbye to this world/May a new one soon be unfurled." All the while, though, listeners are also treated to folk-minded tunefulness and elegant arrangements, such as on the elegiac "Canary in a Coal Mine." Its moseying tempo, floaty pedal steel, and almost contrapuntal acoustic guitar accompany Oren's typically calm, resonant delivery.

The bluesier "Throw Down" puts a dirty guitar tone high in the mix, while "New Gardens" heads into more rustic territory with guitar picking and fiddle.

Throughout, Oren's vocal timbre has a natural tell-it-like-it-is authenticity that lends itself to the socially and environmentally conscious topics among the track list, including a title track that makes reference to pipelines and the value of bees.

It's a solid label debut that finds its own footing apart from the Wilco connection.