Eric D. Johnson writes songs that feel lived-in—warm, comfortable, satisfying and low-key. Through his folk-rock project Fruit Bats, he’s been spinning these yarns for more than 20 years; his first album dropped all the way back in 2001. His songwriting has always been genuine and emotional, with enough playfulness to never sound self-important—this is road trip in the mountains music and coffee on a rainy Saturday morning music all at once. And for the past few years, Johnson has also been one-third of Bonny Light Horseman, his Grammy-nominated folk supergroup with Anaïs Mitchell and Josh Kaufman. That’s why his latest Fruit Bats album, A River Running to Your Heart, is such a joy: Johnson’s a slow burn, but he just keeps getting better. River is an album you will play on repeat, cycling through these songs until they seep into your dreams and you wake up humming. The 11 tracks first feel unassuming— lovely, pretty and breezy. But Johnson’s knack for melody here is, unsurprisingly, uncanny. And the album’s sonic landscape never gets in the way; strummed acoustic guitar, some pump organ, slow-moving bass and drums. Johnson’s lyrical focus is equally comforting: the guy just wants to get home. On “Waking Up in Los Angeles,” he even manages to make these goofy lyrics land right in your heart: “We all want a home, metaphorical or real/ Some place to make us feel whole/ And the words to this song, while geographically specific/ They could apply to anywhere, or any of you/ I’m talking to you,” he sings. On the album closer, he’s practically kissing the ground: “I never knew that it could feel this nice/ Jesus tap dancing Christ/ Feels good to be home.” The album feels the same way—new music that feels like a return to your safest place.