Greg Freeman thrives by finding emotional catharsis and present-day resonance in the eccentric ugliness of the past. His songs all have a palpable sense of place thanks to his urgent delivery and evocative lyricism, which draws on history for character-driven stories of violence, loss, and epiphany. On his second LP Burnover, due out August 22 via Canvasback Music/Transgressive Records, the Maryland-born, Burlington, Vermont-based artist uses the complicated context of the Northeast to sing about heartbreak, alienation, and the clarity that comes from opening up to love. Explosive, unsettling, and undeniable, the 10 tracks blend energetic indie rock and wandering twang. It is Freeman’s most adventurous and personal to date, cementing his talent as a singular songwriter.