The Sea and Cake

The Sea and Cake continue to languish in the carefree soulfulness they've mastered after six previous albums. Their seventh soaks in a minimally produced, uncooked pot of simple guitar, drums and bass. Everybody cuts right into the Sea and Cake's dreamy brand of blustery rock and eases into chilled treatments of moody balladry with drums so delicate they could be beaten with feathers. The African-inspired "Exact to Me" is refreshingly buoyant, while the twist and turns of guitars and the fuzzy backdrop of "Left On" create a retro lounge vibe fit for a cozy cocktail hour.