Vance Joy, “Nation of Two” (Atlantic)

If ukuleles make their way back onto the pop charts, you can probably thank Vance Joy.

The Australian singer-songwriter delivers an exciting sophomore effort with “Nation of Two,” a 13-track collection in which he proves he isn’t too cool to play a little uke, banjo or even that guitar-ukulele hybrid known as a guitalele.

Joy, born James Keogh, had a breakout hit with 2013’s ukulele-led “Riptide” and became the opening act for Taylor Swift. This is his time to really shine— and he seizes it.

The sensitive strummer links up with several vveteran song - writers—including three tunes with Dave Bassett and three with Dan Wilson— for an album of very personal love songs. Joy is all over the CD, writing or co-writing every song and even contributing to the cover art.

The clear standout track is the altrock anthem “We’re Going Home” but other beauties include the uke-led ditty “Saturday Sun,” the slow-burning “Alone With Me” and the achingly beautiful “I’m With You.”

If you yearn for music by Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers and even early Ed Sheeran, these are your jams—earthy, folky and honest. Joy’s songs are nicely not overly produced, allowing a little charming vocal strain every once in a while.

It all adds up to an appealing album from an artist with a promising future.