After two impressive singles that nabbed him the 2021 Makin Waves Songwriter of the Year Award, Dave Vargo’s third album, “Crooked Miles,” is out, and it’s his best yet.

If you’re a fan of Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne, you’ll love the 12-song collection’s third track, “Heads and Hearts.” The Makin Waves Song of the Week respectively and dichotomously combines the grit, yet sensitivity of both of my boyhood heroes. 

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Heads and Hearts” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 6 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com.

“We started the recording sessions for my album back in November of 2020 shooting to have everything done by April/May of 2021,” Dave said. “After many delays, many of them pandemic-related, we are finally ready. It feels really good to finally get this music out there. I hope that you like it!”

The quasi title track for “Crooked Miles,” the album’s second single, “Fault Lines,” features the lyric: “Crooked miles and exit signs. Still so far to do.”

That October release was preceded by a summer 2021 single for the pandemic anthem “Half Bad.”

Early reviews agree that “Crooked Miles” is Dave’s best work yet following his 2016 debut LP, “Burning Through,” and its 2019 follow-up, “Spaces in Between.” 

Hear the album live May 6, Tulip Tree Cafe, Freehold; May 7, Creative Arts Festival, Thompson Park, Lincroft; May 14, Belmar Porchfest, and May 28, Palmer Square, Princeton. Dave’s weekly “2forTuesday” livestream at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook still is going strong with guests Frank Patrouch, May 10; Zeke Carey, May 17; Sarah Faith, May 24, and Gorgo Beach, May 31. For more about Dave, visit www.davevargomusic.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].