A band fronted by the editor of the Republic-Times is celebrating the release of its second CD.

“Sunset Collapse,” the latest six-song effort by The Trophy Mules, made its debut on Tuesday. The songs are now available by digital download through most online music retailers, including iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby. The physical CD may be purchased at www.CDBaby.com, at the band’s live shows, or select St. Louis area record shops.

An official CD release party takes place Saturday, March 12, at Schlafly Tap Room in St. Louis with live music at 9 p.m.

“Sunset Collapse” features the songwriting of Corey Saathoff, who has worked at the Republic-Times since 2004, including the past seven years as editor. The songs feature mandolin, pedal steel, fiddle and guitar to forge a unique sound that can be best described as “cosmic Americana.”

Saathoff, 40, of Columbia, fronted original St. Louis acts Jerkwater Junction and Brain Regiment prior to forming The Trophy Mules in 2009 with mandolin-guitar player Larry Rosenhoffer of St. Louis. Rounding out the current lineup are St. Louisans Scott Swartz on pedal steel, Kevin Schofield on bass and Michael Rose on drums.

“Sunset Collapse” was recorded, mixed and produced by Swartz at his home studio in Chesterfield, Mo., over the past two years. The album’s signature track, “Valmeyer,” is used in the credits of the 2014 film “Valmeyer, IL: The Documentary,” which can be viewed on YouTube. A video for the song can also be found on YouTube.

The Trophy Mules released their debut 10-song album “Sorry Motel” in 2013, receiving several spins on KDHX 88.1 FM in St. Louis and other stations. The Riverfront Times praised the band’s music as “exceptionally well-played, pleasant country/Americana.”

The song “Marigold Life” was named 2013 Song of the Year by KDHX DJ Pat Wolfe. Another tune from “Sorry Motel,” “Slow Southern Rain,” was nominated in the Riverfront Times Readers’ Choice Poll for Best Local Single of the Past 12 Months. In 2014, the band was nominated for a Riverfront Times Music Award in the “folk-country” category.

The band is currently schedule to play the popular “Music at Metter” summer concert series in Columbia on Sunday, June 26, as well as the special “Bicentennial-Palooza” event on Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Monroe County Courthouse bandstand in Waterloo.

For more information on The Trophy Mules — including a list of upcoming performances — visit www.reverbnation.com/thetrophymules or www.facebook.com/thetrophymules.

To contact the band directly, email ampedonpop@yahoo.com or call 314-255-9663.