Forest City Lovers

Not much can break through the grasp of the reins on Carriage. From the sweet upward tumbling of Mika Posen's violin lines and the calm stature of Christian Ingelevics' percussion to the soft, but perky, guitar work between Kyle Donnelly and guests Tim Bruton and Chris Stringer, they've worked up a sweet, yet melancholic, formula that's strong. But it's front-woman Kat Burns's pristine, pitter-patter-like raindrop vocals that will catch any ear. Forest City Lovers have been known around their hometown of Toronto for a while now ― Carriage is their third full-length ― but this will be the album to give them that little winged lift into higher territory. It feels personal, like your friend just happened to leave it on your doorstep. "Minneapolis," "Pocketful of Rocks" and "If I Were a Tree" are the shiniest pieces of the collection, but it's a finely produced piece of work.