Seattle's The Soft Hills craft a modern psychedelia where songs are still central to the experience. There are no extended jams in front of lava lamps, just sweet, haunting melodies arranged around acoustic guitars and spacy effects. "Payroll" moves at a glacial pace redolent of early Low and its hymnlike solemnity. "Riding High" bucks along with a touch of country-rock in its step before it builds into a trip of glorious desperation. "Sweet Louise" jacks up the tension with a Dinosaur Jr.–type electric-guitar freakout behind a vocal that could be Alex Chilton whimpering beautifully through Sister Lovers. "Marigolds" adds harmonies in the style of The Flaming Lips and Fleet Foxes. "Un" battles between the Paisley Underground vibes of Rain Parade and that Neil Young feeling encountered by most indie rockers who take it slow. Lush harmonies and Garrett Hobba's fragile lead vocals create a loneliness that's hard to bear, while a community rescues the choruses. It's a beautiful, paradoxical feeling.