Jen Lowe in a truly gifted songwriter whose hooky instincts are matched by lyrical insight and wisdom that span the human experience and can make you laugh, nod emphatically and shatter your heart - often in the same song.

With her band the Sensitive Dudes, Lowe is an ascending comet - do comets actually ascend? Jen does! - in the fertile realm of modern folk/roots music. Touring in support of her aptly-named 2013 album "Americana," Lowe brings the Sensitive Dudes to New London's 33 Club for a performance Saturday. Tunes from that record like "Laughing," "Trigger" and "Broken Highways" are very fine, indeed.

Word of Lowe's multi-instrumental prowess, vocals and songwriting is spreading; of late, she's collaborated with such folks as Ed Roland (Collective Soul), Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra), Ed Kowalczyk (Live) and Emerson Hart (Tonic).

Appropriately for Saturday's gig, Jim Carpenter and the Hoolios open. This bill is a one-two punch of greatness that, with any justification, would headline big halls nationwide.

- RICK KOSTER

Jen Lowe and the Sensitive Dudes, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 33 Club, 33 Golden St., New London; with Jim Carpenter and the Hoolios; $5; (860) 443-1193.