After more than 15 years with Rounder Records, Sierra Hull now travels the indie route for her latest studio album, A Tip Toe High Wire. A Grammy nominee and seven-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Awards’ (IBMA) Mandolin Player of the Year trophy, Hull has evolved considerably from her traditionalist roots, moving steadily into more contemporary territory, but she’s never lost the down-home sensibility that is her birthright as a Tennessee native. Mostly though, she’s all about keeping things simple and uncluttered. In addition to Hull’s ever-pristine vocals, the tracks primarily feature a basic backing crew of guitar, bass and drums, the occasional fiddle and banjo and an additional vocal or two. Hull, of course, plays mandolin— impeccably as always—but also tosses in an acoustic or electric guitar part here and there. Her new tracks, for the most part, are reflective without getting heavy-handed, drawn from the artist’s travels, family life and simple observations. “Muddy Water,” a spirited country-tinged song co-written with Andrew Petro• and Caroline Spence, is, Hull writes in her guide to the songs, “about just accepting yourself for who you truly are and not feeling like you have to pretend to be something you aren’t.” A tender ballad that dispels its title, “Spitfire” eschews the mandolin altogether in favor of a trio of guitars and a toned-down rhythm section, all that’s needed for Hull to sing about her granny, a “beautiful, fiery woman who loved her family in the deepest of ways.” If A Tip Toe High Wire feels less encumbered than Hull’s last couple of releases, then that can probably be chalked up to her newfound independence and the confidence that comes with trusting one’s instincts. Going it on her own is a move that, this first time out, serves Sierra Hull well.