Here Comes Winter

Like their debut album, Hello Halo, Parker and Lily stick with a gauzy, dream rock sound for their second effort. Here Comes Winter is as charming as its predecessor; delicate synth beats weave in and around humming organs, soft-hued bells, and vibraphones. Lily Wolfe is an angel with her warm, girlish vocals, while her partner, Parker Noon's vocal hushing is nearly cheerless. Together, they're a darling pair, making Here Comes Winter a daydreamy songbook of broken hearts. "You Are My Matinee" is a glossy, lo-fi gem where Noon gushes about his crush in an unnervy, cinematic tone. "Bridge and Tunnel" and "Motel Lights" are more sinister and dark with creepy instrumentation thanks to Noon's quiet, spoken narrative. When Wolfe takes to the mic, she gives Parker and Lily a new light -- a sweetness. She swoons over young love on the carnival-like, candied fun of "My Apartment Complex," while "For C.L. (Iowa Is Passing By)" aches with poetic heartbreak. Elements of travel and holiday also highlight Parker and Lily's musical life on Here Comes Winter; the bossa nova shimmy of "Three-Day Life" is a delightful match for the salsa twists of electronic beats on "Planes in Clouds." Here Comes Winter slowly works against the entangled mess of love and life. Parker and Lily's personal relationship is more apparent on this album; how imperfect they might be as lovers makes for a mesmerizing set of songs. There's a genuine sense of longing and desire on Here Comes Winter, but without self-pity. Their art is divinely complex and that's what makes Parker and Lily so interesting. ~ MacKenzie Wilson|