A welcome addition to the Sub Pop roster, Auckland
NZ's Ruby Suns are led by songwriter Ryan McPhun, backed by Amee Robinson and Imogen Taylor along with a cast of guest musicians for
Sea Lion, the group's first domestic release. Although they also delve into swathes of sleepy FX-hazed downtime (and even '80s romo-electro on closer "Morning Sun"), the band shines brightest with breathlessly strummy South Pacific-riffing harmonies redolent of both the gypsy arrangements of Beirut and the tropical Latin/South-Am-inspired oddball acoustica of "Winter's Love"/"Sweet Road"-mode Animal Collective.
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