Slim Fathers
Goldie Hawn in the Blue Light (Boat Dreams From the Hill)

Anyone who follows local imprint Boat Dreams From the Hill is already familiar with the massive breadth of label head Chris van der Laan’s output. Under various guises, he has worked as a rapper, drone artist, songwriter, and producer; with Slim Fathers, he takes a back seat quite literally by stepping behind the drum kit.

With van der Laan holding down the rhythms, the group’s sophomore full-length, the curiously titled Goldie Hawn in the Blue Light, highlights the talents of vocalist Courtney Ewan. Known around town as the vocalist of folksy outfit Twin River, she howls and snarls over raw, punchy indie-rock arrangements characterized by clanging dual electric guitars.

Aside from a couple of brief ambient instrumental (loop-based opener “Community Covenant” and the shimmering interlude “Pre-Hamilton”), most of these tunes are stripped-down and straightforward, sounding as if they were largely captured live off the floor. This unfussy approach highlights the five-piece’s effective combination of garage grit and pop warmth, with the spiky “To B. Curtain” and the honey-dipped romance of “Boo Hooray!” standing out as the most instantly infectious numbers. “Rental Juice” is another highlight, its white-knuckle punk surge capturing both Ewan and van der Laan at their most aggressive.

What Goldie Hawn has to do with any of this is a mystery, but the actress ought to be flattered to be the titular inspiration for such a kick-ass album.