One thing I do not spend enough time seeking out is easy listening music. The closest I usually get is Tycho—who is a doozy if you’re looking for peaceful tunes, but in these times anything suffices.

Who knew that Run For Cover Records, a label more known for their indie-emo and punk offerings, had a band like this on their roster?

This time of year, it’s usually festival season in Columbus, Ohio. Today, I would have been downtown enjoying the Arts Festival. In a couple of weeks, I might have been attending hippie favorite Comfest. Instead, I’m sitting on this patio listening to Healing Potpourri while I drink a tall Italian Soda. And you know what? While it isn’t the same, this ain’t bad!

There are many labels I could put on this music. Some might call it lounge pop. You could call it easy listening. I’ll add a few more monikers: daytime relaxation, afternoon fusion, easy funk, indie lounge. This band puts a little bit of a DIY flair into what they put out. Therefore, all of these things apply. But they capture well the feeling I often seek after this time of year. And after a week of feeling run down and stressed, it couldn’t be more timely. An example of an exception to this rule would be the song “Camellia,” which puts forth a feeling that’s mournful or wistful. Possibly both. “The Page” is similarly contemplative and reminds me, ever so slightly, of Mutemath’s “You Are Mine.”

The upside and downside of this album is that it makes great background music. At first listen, it’s not like there’s going to be hooks aplenty to get the band stuck in your head. So some, unfortunately, that will find this album to be forgettable. To counteract that point—I’ll ask those folks how you can hear that flute and be in a bad mood? In all seriousness, I’m not sure how to argue that this band is different other than to tell you about my timely experience with them—which I’m doing right now.

I hope you’ll play this record at your next grillout.

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