Oftentimes when a Cajun record is released, it’s impossible to tell which song will become the radio airplay darling since the jocks play their favorites with no uniform consistency. But this time was different. When the tiny Jennings-based Lanor imprint released Jackie Caillier’s fourth CD, his first in four years, “Don’t Play With The Heart That Loves You” immediately surfaced as the radio staple of choice followed by a CFMA nomination for “Song of the Year.” Not only was the nomination one of seven for the ridiculously popular Cousins but also one of 13 total for Lanor whose other nominees include Ed Gary, Aldes Broussard and Jason Deleon. Yet, ironically several other Ivy Dugas compositions (“Dans les Bon Viuex Jours,” “If I Could Do What I Used To Do”) could have easily contended for the crown in another place and another time.

Besides Dugas’ stirring originals, Caillier’s beefy CD unequivocally demonstrates how they haven’t lost ground in other categories that make a great dancehall band so vibrant. Instrumentally, they’re still fueled by Danny Cormier’s driving, throbbing steel guitar, Benny Mueller’s driving fiddling and Caillier’s impeccably precise accordion playing. The proceedings have an airy vibe about ’em as if they were recorded live in a spacious dancehall. When it comes to vocalists, the projective Dugas is so unlike the nasally breed typically heard in Cajun music—he’s a natural, a singer’s singer.

In addition to Dugas’ six originals, the Cousins take fairly familiar material and render it radically different. Boozoo’s “Paper in My Shoe” swings like crazy; the stomping “Pine Groove Blues” is devoid of its haunting bluesy feel and instead is bonused with building three-part harmonies and a shuffling beat. Their ripping rendition of Lawrence Walker’s “Wandering Aces Special” is probably closer to form while “Tits’ Yeux Noirs” is overwhelmingly breathtaking with Cormier’s glistening steel and Dugas’ tender, euphonious crooning. While there has been virtually no live recordings in this side of Cajun country music, “Bo Sparkle Waltz” was waxed live at La Poussiere with the audience joyously singing part of the chorus. “I told you it was going to be fun,” Dugas says afterwards about the infectious song. Damn right, and for Caillier and the Cajun Cousins, it’s going to be hard to top this one.