Romantic Images

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Texas singer-songwriter Molly Burch has been bubbling under for a few years as a critical darling who feels perpetually on the verge of breaking through to the big time. It should happen with Romantic Images, which feels like the right record for right now; these 10 songs are possessed with a chilled-out enthusiasm the world needs. Burch's voice is a drug that relaxes without putting you to sleep, tumbling like some smoky and elegant liquid (maybe a cinnamon-spiked brandy cocktail?). Her jazz training renders the oh-oh vocalizations and lilting trills as part chanteuse, but there's plenty of disco diva here too. Enjoy shades of Kylie Minogue's mirror-ball cool on "Games," high-flying Blondie attitude on the dancy "Took a Minute," and the Cocteau Twins' deep-sigh ambience on the title track. The band Wild Nothing backs Burch on "Emotion" for a disco-dream-pop treat, all crisp and snappy rhythm bolstering a slinky melody. "I don't know why it has to feel like this/ It's like it's weighing on my heartbeat heavy/ And anytime I try to make sense of it/ Keeps on coming like a floodgate, honey," she sings. Who knew confusion could sound so clear-eyed? Burch worked with Alaina Moore and Pat Riley of the band Tennis on production for Romantic Images, and you can feel their smooth influence on tracks like the gently bouncing "Honeymoon Phase" and raised-eyebrow flirtation of "Heart of Gold." ("Secrets under all my intentions/ I know it's bad but I never learned my lesson," Burch coos.) An unexpected sexy side reveals itself in the R&B mindset of "Easy," and the whole thing wraps up with "Back in Time," a breathy delight that'll neatly tide you over until the next Florence and the Machine record. "I want to be careful and kind," Burch sings. Yes, please. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz