Lullabys for Crybabies (Independent)

Although not yet commercially available, Lullabys for Crybabies, a six-song EP from Chris Smith, is already generating buzz. The generically named songwriter makes music that is anything but; Lullabys is a sweet, intelligent slice of quietcore, full of songs that whisper in your head long after they’ve ended. Recorded in Smith’s bedroom, the EP has a hushed feel, but little touches—layered vocals, gentle piano, and a choir of children on one track—keep the album interesting as well as intimate.

“Samson Said”, the EP’s standout track, is a sparkling retelling of a biblical love story, and “The Children’s Song” is lyrically beyond the scope of normal singer-songwriter subject matter. As for the release as a whole, it’s definitely a Sunday-morning listen. Recalling Kings of Convenience or Paul Simon at his most isolationist, this is a record best suited for staring out windows and sipping green tea.