It’s fascinating to see legendary musicians’ children follow in their parents’ footsteps, some bringing their own voices to the craft, others diverging from the path their parents blazed altogether. Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson has spent his adult life carving out his own place in the world of country and rock music.

Promise of the Real, formed in 2008, has released five albums, toured with Neil Young since 2015 and even collaborated with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga on the soundtrack for “A Star is Born.” Sixth studio album A Few Stars Apart, originally planned for 2020, is a body of work that continues to blend country and rock with an array of well-written stories.

Inspired by the grinding halt of the pandemic, the album was first promoted with “Perennial Bloom (Back To You)” starting over just a single guitar strum. Quickly building to incorporate an array of guitars and percussion, the lyrics tell of flowers that bloom far after the warm weather ends. Lukas Nelson mentions someone that passes and smiles without a mask, likely both a direct COVID-19 reference and an observation of the disguises people display on first impression.

On “Throwin’ Away Your Love,” Nelson’s marbly voice sounds so much like his father’s that it’s hard not to ignore. On others, he sounds much less distinct. Lyrically luscious and flowing with cadence, the song begins with the lines, “Time wasted, again and again/ Criminal intentions, I sense/ A deeply rooted network of/ Confusion in my brain, my pain is/ So very elementary.” Lyrics like this are abundant and ground the album with a foundation of effective storytelling.

The album straddles a space between the genres of country and rock well, showing how versatility runs in the family. To hear the elder Nelson’s skillfulness, listen to his recent collection of Frank Sinatra covers. A Few Stars Apart has tracks that could  could find a home in either space. When compiled together they create both a nostalgic and modern take on the genre’s sounds.

On the title track, there are pianos layered throughout, and heavy chords lead the song before Nelson’s vocals come in strong. “We’re just a few stars apart/ Every night you can see my heart/ Shinin’ like a big white diamond in the sky,” he sings. He wrote the song the night a friend passed away. The entire album is dedicated to her.

Lyrical and thematic tropes of country music are no surprise. Songs about women, beer and trucks are expected from the Nashville machine, but fortunately, some artists like Nelson are able to avoid those clichés while still situating themselves in the genre. 

As mainstream country is increasingly tone-deaf toward movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, there’s just a different tone to Nelson’s style, supporting causes from HIV and AIDS activism to services for those with developmental disabilities and an ever-growing list of organic farms and community gardens around the U.S.

On country tune “Leave ‘em Behind,” Nelson calls for women to know their worth in relationships. “Beautiful face, I see your eye/ Black and blue don’t make good colors on/ Your salvation does rely/ Don’t let your man take everything,” he sings. He reminds her to rely on friends for support, and that there’s no excuse for any lies or abuse.

A light piano tinkles ever so slightly at the beginning of “More Than We Can Handle” before a swinging beat kicks in and a country jam ensues. It’s a simple track about nothing more than love and faith in God and relationship.

On the final track, “Smile,” Nelson sings accompanied by a lone piano until after the chorus, where the band joins in. Their instruments remain pull back enough to keep the track mellow and intimate. “I swam against a river/ I never trusted any shore/ Now I float beneath the sun/ In sweet surrender, like a child/ I think of you,” he sings.

Legacy and talent make up A Few Stars Apart, so there’s no reason not to listen.

Follow Domenic Strazzabosco at Twitter.com/domenicstrazz and Instagram.com/domenicstrazz.