Sean Hayes

In this set of shuffling tunes, the San Francisco folk vet evokes the straightforward backbeat folk of early Tracy Chapman, taking on topics of hipster ennui and gentle love. The surprise left turn happens with the protest number "Dolores Guerrero," which evades the stigma of coffee-shop reggae with a grumpy bass line and some brainy horn arrangements. He's best when he adds a big instrumental hook and a bit of bounce to the beats, as on "Baby I Do."