“I’m outta money, outta w**d / out of all the things I thought I’d need outta whiskey, outta beer / out of all the people I held so dear passed out, blackout drunk / never wanted so little but needed so much” 21-year old folk/country/blues outlaw Kenna Mae Reiss introduces herself thusly on single ‘Sober Enough’ from her debut record Blue Darlin. Anyone surprised by this world-weary approach from such a young artist hasn’t spent much time in Urbana, Illinois dive bars, honky-tonks and open mic’s the last couple years. With the guiding hand of local producer James Treichler, the songs on Blue Darlin came together over several recording sessions during much of 2015. The 11 tracks on her debut are a reflection of her small-town influences—barroom country, straight ahead blues, and gentle acoustic heartbreakers. Ask anyone who has seen Kenna Mae play live and they can attest. Her words and voice are used as weapons designed to make you see, make you feel. The artist as confessor, commiserator, warrior. She’s fearless. Often downright hilarious. She makes grown men cry in their beers. She’s been called ballsy, but soulful would suffice. Don’t call her a female singer-songwriter, she’ll cut you in two. Tales of small-town nights, regrets and heartbreak may bring to mind outlaw contemporaries like Lydia Loveless and Nikki Lane, but don’t put Kenna Mae in a category. She’s likely to bust right out of it.