Jon and Roy

I don't know how Jon & Roy maintain such a sunny sound living in drizzly Victoria, BC. Their bright, warm folk pop conjures images of islands significantly farther south. However they manage to pull it off, the result is utterly enjoyable. The band's third album kicks off with a couple of basic, but appealing, up-tempo folk songs and quickly moves towards a more tropical tone, with the trumpet-loaded "Let It Go," Spanish guitar-style instrumental "Tavern Song," the reggae beat of "Bygone Road" and the laid-back and beach-y "Kesey." The album's ambience evokes sweaty, poolside afternoons, but there's freshness to the sound as well, like the tang of a rum cocktail. Jon Middleton's loose, raspy vocals are the epitome of summer sanguinity. This is perfect warm weather music, but is also recommended listening for depressed wet coasters in January.