Kaleo - Surface Sounds (White 2XLP)

Frontman and songwriter JJ Julius Son has been in the studio off-and-on for two years, allowing for a combination of globe-trotting and meticulous tinkering, resulting in a spectrum of sounds recorded around the world - in North America, South America and across Europe. The final product is refreshingly free of calculation, with Julius Son allowing each tune to dictate it's path while simultaneously leaning-in to his blues, folk and rock inclinations. "First off, I wanted to acknowledge the uncertainty and anxiety that everyone is facing today. "Times like this remind us of what matters most. Instinctively as human beings we shift our focus from the superficial to collectively supporting our neighbors. That sentiment is actually echoed in Surface Sounds. My hope now is that the album can serve as a reminder that what is on the surface is not nearly as important as what is inside, and it's our duty to lift one another up in times of need. "In many ways, Surface Sounds has always been such a puzzle for me," continues Julius Son of the collection of tracks recorded while on the road. "I've literally jumped into studios in Greece, South America, and all over Europe, creating what is now Surface Sounds. Any time I went home to Iceland, every time I was in L.A., I enjoy seeing what we can create in the moment and in each environment."