Hayes Carll, writer of smart, funny, no-frills country songs, followed his commercial breakthrough KMAG YOYO and 2016's Lovers and Leavers with this year's excellent What It Is>, a plainly stated take on the tomfoolery of today viewed through the eyes of one regular joe. There's a surveying of stakes on What It Is, as well as a whole lot of heart. Carll visited the Paste Studio in April to play three songs from the record: "I Will Stay," "If I May Be So Bold" and "Times Like These."