WHO ARE THEY? The combined forces of two indie-rock veterans: Big Star drummer/Ardent Studios CEO Jody Stephens and singer-guitarist/musical journeyman Luther Russell, who has worked with everyone from Jakob Dylan to Robyn Hitchcock to Weezer.
WHAT IS THIS? Their second studio set and the followup to their self-titled 2016 debut. Fun fact: Their name comes from a Shakespeare sonnet.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Classic ’70s indie-pop and folk-rock, complete with all the lightly jangling guitars, laid-back beats and dreamy harmonies you’d expect. What you don’t expect: Most of these collaborative gems were written via email between Memphis native Stephens and L.A. resident Russell.
WHAT WOULD BE A BETTER TITLE FOR THIS ALBUM? Two Wrongs Make a Right.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? While relaxing — all the better to enjoy these soothing numbers.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Organic, retro, mellow, intimate, flowing, melodic, gentle, understated, reflective, sweet.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? Ain’t Nobody But Me sports an upbeat bouncy gait; You and Me packs a low-impact crunch; Undertow surrounds Beatle-pop harmonies with quaint quirkiness.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY? ‘For two guys who live 1,800 miles apart, they sure sound a lot like a band.’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? How often do you enjoy pop?
IF THIS ALBUM WERE AN OUTING, WHAT KIND OF OUTING WOULD IT BE? A day in the park — which is coincidentally but appropriately one of the song titles.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL IT? S for Stream.
