The Elected
Sun, Sun, Sun
(Sub Pop)
The trend toward more constructed and tightly arranged songwriting continues on The Elected’s sophomore disc Sun, Sun, Sun, so immersed in sunny Californian textures it’s easy to miss the tales of broken homes and broken hearts that line its interiors. Along the lines of The Thrills or Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois album, this is music for sunny mornings contemplating personal (mis)fortunes. “Not Going Home” finds Blake Sennett putting his past behind him and the beautiful, almost Celtic “It Was Love” is a duet with fellow Rilo Kiley member Jenny Lewis. The rest of the album pads the edges with equal success leading up to the throat-tearing crescendo on “Biggest Star.” Sun is a solid effort and should surely raise The Elected above “Rilo Kiley spin-off band.”
—Dave Hayden