Daniel and Jenna Watters relocated locally from Nashville last year, putting together a formidable new ninepiece outfit for their debut LP. The title track leads off with an early high point on a smooth, horn-lined groove glistening behind Jenna’s soulfully cosmic vocals before skipping to Daniel’s lead on the classic Sixties pop riff of “Reality.” “Bad Dream” drips a smoky torch turn with an assist from Erik Hokkanen’s violin, rivaled by the duet lope of “Soul Remains,” but “Ebb & Flow” drifts too much into Seventies soft soul and “DNA” spins oddly down a Nineties alternative alley. Inconsistency stems from the couple’s conflicting songwriting impulses; she more personal and swaying to his more abstract and throwback rock guitar pull (“Only the Lonely” vs. “Johnny Appleseed,” respectively). The light, Turtles-esque piano pop bounce of “Strangest of Places” proves their talents can meld, and their neo-roots soul shines throughout, suggesting the Watters will develop a more coherent sound beyond the varying trajectories of an overall promising debut.

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This article appears in August 5 • 2016.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.