As if you couldn't figure it out from the awesome album art for Neko Case's forthcoming Middle Cyclone, the fire-haired songstress declares in the record's title-track, "I can't give up acting tough/it's all that I'm made of," with spare accompaniment from a lone guitar and what sounds like a music box. We don't get the advertised piano symphony or any awesome barn noises, but as always, the sincerity and quality of Case's voice is more than enough to carry you all the way home.

Middle Cyclone is out March 3 on Anti-.

Download "Middle Cyclone" here.