Having signed with renowned producer/artist Danger Mouse’s 30th Century label, Palo Duro – Austin singer-songwriter Michael J. Winningham, formerly of the indie rock band Gold Beach – understandably indulges in a cinematic, tightly and cleanly produced, and (mostly) hook-heavy debut LP heavily evocative of contemporary Arcade Fire. The achy, love-drenched Ryou Cannon not only checks off those boxes, it even contains attractive lead single “Darken the Glow,” an Afro-psych number with a gorgeous, towering chorus. The screams commencing “Embers” give way to a bright wall of sound, layered in acoustics and sunny synths. “True Fade” continues the essence, including punchy surf rock drums. Not everything works, specifically the lyrics. For example, the well-composed “Indian Ocean” has all the right sound markers for true love song success, but misses the target when Winningham sullies the beautifully realized track with cornball lyrics: “My body feels electric, so inspired.” (CD release: Cheer Up Charlies, Friday, Oct. 27)

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This article appears in October 27 • 2017.

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Kahron Spearman is a journalist and writer with bylines including The Austin Chronicle, Austin Monthly, Consequence of Sound, Texas Highways, and the London-based journal The Break-Down. He currently serves as Senior Editor at Atmosphere TV.