Songs that are born out of sincerity and sensitivity can leave indelible impressions on one’s soul. Sincere music can evoke powerful emotions and open new worlds of thought for listeners. Many artists are championed for their honesty in songwriting and production, and for good reason.

Artists who capture ineffable feelings and present them in a digestible format with luscious instrumentals can be hard to find. But, dear reader, for Brooklyn-based folk-rock artist Liam Kazar, it seems second nature. Each track is saturated with tender revelations and witty wholeheartedness.

Even though Kazar began writing songs when he was 13, it wasn’t until 2021 that he released his debut album, “Due North.” Now making a return to his solo career after touring with artists like Waxahatchee and Jeff Tweedy, Kazar released his sophomore album, “Pilot Light,” last November.

A pilot light is a small gas flame kept lit indefinitely to be used as an ignition source for larger gas-powered appliances. For the album, which gracefully flows between folk rock, Americana, jazz, alt-country and other influences, it serves as a metaphor for love: even after a relationship has ended, there will always be a flame flickering.

Kazar begins by lamenting a lover’s departure in the title track. A wistful piano paired with soothing vocals creates a cozy atmosphere that feels like sipping a cup of hot tea on a cold day. Docile guitar added inconspicuously in the background furthers a sense of warmth, though Kazar delivers cold truths, singing “A love never goes, but it starts to hurt / There’s no starting over, just getting back to work.”

Charming fiddle and folksy guitar draw listeners out of the melancholy in “Day Off,” a song that sounds fitting for a barn dance. Even with the contrasting vibes of the previous track, sweet lyrics about the serendipity of taking a day off keep the song grounded.

Teetering on sounding like a stomp-and-holler track, “The Word The War” is vitalized by intricate guitar, a jazzy bassline and bright piano motifs, even while addressing themes of loneliness and vulnerability. Kazar’s crooning of the lyrics “But what you gonna have if you never take a chance” and “What good’s a home if it isn’t full of love?” is tranquilizing.

One of the most heartbreaking yet sobering songs I’ve ever heard, “Didn’t I,” is a linchpin for “Pilot Light” as it was written for Kazar’s late grandmother. As the repetitive and mesmerizing piano and drum kit keep the track steady, the guitar riffs and lyrics dazzle, especially the track’s central line: “Didn’t I / Tell you I love you more.”

The song features a mix of subtle realization that your time spent with someone is over through lyrics like “I knew you’d go just not so soon,” yet Kazar pleads for more time with his grandmother as he sings “Say goodnight instead of saying goodbye / Don’t say you’re sorry then disappear.”

While his most recent release proves he can easily craft a captivating mellow mood, Kazar’s background in jazz is an obvious driving force for “Due North,” especially on tracks like “Old Enough For You,” as snappy syncopated rhythms are layered on top of groovy guitar runs and funky background synths.

Kazar’s most-streamed song and his debut single, “Shoes Too Tight,” is a jumpy, shoulder-shimmying groove that introduced him as a solo artist. Intermingled with funky keyboard and synth sounds, background vocals from duo Finom fill every corner of the song. Playful lyrics in the chorus create vivid imagery of wasted time and missed opportunities: “Somewhere between liquor and Listerine / There’s wasted breath upon wasted dreams.”

Laced with ethereal nostalgia and eternal warmth, life is crawling through every inch of “Frank Bacon” as a melodious synth pops up throughout. An Americana sound is brought forward from background vocals that support Kazar as he sings, “And I’m holding out for more / To even out the score.”

Transitioning cleanly into “I’ve Been Where You Are,” the previous track’s synths are substituted for some acoustic guitar, a staccato bassline and a simple drumbeat. The song keeps listeners hooked as it strays from a typical verse-to-chorus structure, where Kazar offers words of sympathy and support to someone going through a rough time, singing “All your dreams have turned / To hopeless schemes, and burned / I’ve been where you are before.”

Kazar has an aptitude for effortlessly blending sounds from a myriad of genres while consistently finding heart in all his songs. Through witty, poetic lyrics, he creates an almost religious listening experience. Kazar’s intentional songwriting, alongside his extensive music performance background, allows him to create meaningful art that touches hearts.

Aden Max Juarez is a sophomore writing about non-mainstream music in his column, “Underground Earworms,” which runs every other Thursday. He is also an Arts and Entertainment editor at the Daily Trojan.