There’sa spirit of quiet optimism locked in the grooves of Hiss Golden Messenger’s lovely latest offering, with MC Taylor delivering his languid acoustic soul in the spirit of Curtis Mayfield right from opener “Way Back In The Way Back”. Over the course of 11 tracks, the band cover country, soul and jazz, pulling in a range of influences that confirms them as heirs to Lambchop and Giant Sand. Although the album was written and recorded at a time of severe international strife, Taylor maintains an aura of studied and reassuring calm on “It Will If We Let It”, “Glory Strums” and outstanding closer “Sanctuary”.