CD Reviews: Savoir Adore, Earlimart

'Our Nature'
Savoir Adore
3 stars
The new release from these Brooklyn dream-poppers continues down the sparkly path of lush melodies laid down on 2009's "In The Wooded Forest." As with tunes of yore, new singles like "Dreamers" and "Regalia" are set apart by the effortless vocal union of Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro. The danger of twee overload is ever-present, but the central role of Gary Atturio's irresistible bass helps keep this charming album from spiraling off into the clouds.

'System Preferences'
Earlimart
2 stars
Returning after a lengthy but productive hiatus in side-project land, Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray of early-aughts faves Earlimart deliver a more somber, spacious take on their subtly trippy chamber pop sound. Often (and rightly) painted with the Elliott Smith brush, Espinoza can't help but sound like himself (i.e., a disaffected ghost) on sweet downers like "Crestline, CA," but the textural change granted by Murray's lighter, sweeter tone casts some rays of milky sunshine on this fine rainy-day companion piece.