Fredericton native Ross Neilsen has released a new album titled Elemental just in time for his performance at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in his hometown.

The new album marks a shift in sounds for the well-known singer. Part of that comes from encounters with a world-renowned singer-songwriter.

"I'd gone to Steve Earle's songwriting camp a few years ago that really kind of upended my songwriting world, and really kind of changed how I look at writing, and gave me some new tools to work with," said Neilsen.

Neilsen said he has already received many promising reviews of the album, which surprises him at least a little.

"I don't think I expected it to be received so warmly … To me it's not different but to a listener who's not living the tunes I think it's quite different," said Neilsen.

Even with the changes that Neilsen has made to his music, he said that there is a natural progression.

"I guess there's more story songs on this album, which is extremely intentional," said Neilsen.

That is shown with the song The Race, a song whose lyrics he co-wrote with his girlfriend while at a pub called The Worthen House Café, where novelist Jack Kerouac was rumoured to hang out in.

"I went there for a beer and I decided I should try and write something," said Neilsen.

Neilsen is now living in Saskatoon, but is back in town for Harvest. He said that while there is work to be done, he's happy to be back home.

"There's a level of stress that goes with Harvest for me, because it's my busiest time of year. But being back in Fredericton is always wonderful. My friends and family are here, and it's nice to catch up with people and I always love being back here," said Neilsen.

Neilsen will be playing two shows at Harvest. One on Sept. 14 at 8:30 p.m. and a free concert on Sept. 17 at 3:00 p.m.