Spring Breakup

Bitter and heartbroken? Buck up, buttercup: Spring Breakup are here to help. This gloriously glum musical combo are composed of Yukon-based songwriter Kim Barlow and Mathias Kom, leader of roots collective the Burning Hell. On their sophomore album, they couch sad and cynical observations about love in keen wit, perky banjo- and ukulele-based arrangements and sweetly fingerpicked guitar. Kom croons lines like, "you're a nice girl and this has been fun, but I think we're at the end of our run" in his comically morose baritone. And Barlow's girlish voice softens the bleakness of lines like, "I'm sorry that I tried to punch you in the face. Disgrace, disgrace." With a few genuinely miserable moments perfectly suited to sublime wallowing ("I Never," "Brick Wall"), the album is as diverse as it is droll. Once again, Spring Breakup have mixed up a soothing musical tonic for romantic casualties of all kinds.