The latest offering from Blue States takes the wondrous offerings of the band’s first two releases to another level. Retaining the basic downtempo slant of its prequels, new album The Soundings reveals a fresh chapter in this (originally) one-man band’s rhythm method, namely in the form of an expanded line-up, now including drummer Jon Chandler and singer-guitarist Chris Carr. The prime factor remains Andy Dragazis, but this relatively traditional approach indicates he has broadened his musical scope.

The exercise works quite well, inducing a higher level of warmth in the songs, due largely to the docile, soothing vocal delivery and the serene musical arrangements present throughout the record. This is highlighted mostly on the more penetrating songs, namely One Night in Tulane, Across The Wire, Leaning In, Ten Shades and Alright Today. The Soundings is a fantastic 40 minutes of Blue States’ familiar chilled-out electronic doodlings fused with their newly-acquired indie fancies into one great record of sheer aural bliss reminiscent of Air’s supreme Moon Safari!