The Blade is the follow-up to 2013’s critically acclaimed Like a Rose, which included the sublime — and alternatingly bawdy and poignant — singles “Weed Instead of Roses,” “You Got Me” and the title track. The album was named the top country record of that year by Billboard, Rolling Stone and The New York Times, and helped recognize Monroe as one of the genre’s most respected talents. She’s performed with artists ranging from the Raconteurs and Train to Wanda Jackson and Blake Shelton, and is an indispensable component of the acclaimed trad-country trio Pistol Annies.

Encompassing 13 tracks, The Blade explores all manners of lost love, failed dreams and harsh revelations. “There are some stone-cold country songs on here that are about as sad as you can get, and a little bit of darkness too,” Monroe admits. The deceptively gorgeous ballad “Bombshell,” for instance, is about ripping off life’s proverbial Band-Aids.

Whether she’s lamenting her sinner status in “The Devil Don’t Want Me,” laughing off bad luck in “Winning Streak” or accepting the fact that, yes, it’s ok to be happy in “On to Something Good,” the worldly singer-songwriter isn’t afraid to explore all facets of life.

As Monroe likes to say, “There are a lot of edges to The Blade.”