Smokey Brights, Hot Candy

Smokey Brights

Hot Candy

Reviewed by: Geno Thackara

“Sometimes it takes the best part of you / to not fuck it up.” Well now, there’s a sentiment I’m sure we can all agree with. Smokey Brights isn’t interested in sounding slick or pretending to be perfect. Through their second album, the not-really-hipster Seattle quintet comes across just as amiable and humble as Ryan Devlin does while delivering that chorus. Their sound is a warm combination of charmingly lo-fi and charmingly retro; they’re willing to go simple and DIY, crank up the psychedelics or maybe play with ’60s spy-movie tones just for the fun of it. They’re about finding ways to enjoy the ride and remembering we’re all in it together.

Hot Candy drifts from the cozy basement hangout to the trippy depths of inner space. Devlin’s wife and co-founder Kim West takes her turn at the mike early on with the dreamy “Desiree,” also turning up the personable appeal (“Desiree, it’s okay to be shy / so am I”). It’s a shame she only takes a couple leads, though a couple more backing vocals here and there still add some nice shadings. Mostly it’s about the band as much as the singers – the words may sometimes get washed out in a haze of echo, but the reverbed guitars and wiggly keys are more than enough to keep things interesting instead. Whether lush and dreamy or as steady-driving as Krautrock, it’s a listen always ready to grab your ears and go somewhere colorful.

Rating: Listenable