Conor Oberst is a man of many faces – it just so happens that they all look alike. Yes, Outer South, his forthcoming semi-solo full-length with the Mystic Valley Band and follow up to last year’s Conor Oberst, promises 16 typically articulate, self-reflective country/folk tracks, stripped of the theatrical intensity of Bright Eyes.

As far as back-to-basics projects go, the Mystic Valley Band is a winner, highlighting Oberst’s formidable songwriting gifts, while raising a white flag in the war for production ingenuity. (A necessary surrender; imagine Oberst's warble atop Merriweather Post Pavilion instrumentals).

The band has already performed one of the cuts, “Nikorette”, on Conan, and the album officially drops on May 5th. Until then, a tour:

04.09 Omaha, NE: Slowdown

04.10 Denver, CO: Ogden Theatre

04.11 Aspen, CO: Belly Up

04.12 El Paso, TX: Barnett Harley Davidson (Hands of Love & Hope Benefit)

04.13 Albuquerque, NM: Sunshine Theatre

04.14 Tempe, AZ: Marquee Theatre

04.15 Pomona, CA: Glass House

04.17 Indio, CA: Coachella Music & Arts Festival

04.18 Telluride, CO: Telluride Bluegrass Festival