Crushed Stars, primarily the work of singer/multi-instrumentalist Todd Gautreau, drummer Jeff Ryan (The War on Drugs, Baptist Generals), and, this time around, producer Stuart Sikes (White Stripes, Modest Mouse), continue to mine a reverb-heavy and somber '90s vibe with 2014’s Farewell Young Lovers, but with additional colors and approaches. Comparisons to The Clientele, Luna, Low, Trembling Blue Stars, and The Jesus & Mary Chain are all worthy mentions, yet they still only point listeners in the correct direction. The deliberate lack of rhythmic firepower in songs like “Fly” (which even buzzes like one with a theremin) and the instrumental “Poppies,” with its slight keyboards, float into the ether with a rainy-day feeling while strong melodies create a sense of viewing life in an aquarium. “Flowerbomb,” “It Happens Every Time," and “Haters” turn up drummer Jeff Ryan’s role as he helps Gautreau achieve a muscular Creation Records/shoegaze effect. “Supernova” features a guitar solo (and a second one, too), said to be the first of their kind on a Crushed Stars album, while “Crocodiles” returns the sound to a sedentary but sublime form.