Beulah's sophomore record is another irresistible addition to the Elephant 6 canon -- artfully texturing its infectious guitar pop melodies with lush strings, woodwinds, and horns (courtesy of no less than 18 guest musicians), When Your Heartstrings Break delivers fully on the promise of the group's debut, Handsome Western States. What sets Beulah apart from their E6 peers is a straightforward pop sensibility that dreamier, more spaced-out counterparts like the Olivia Tremor Control or Elf Power lack -- for all of their flourishes, the 11 tracks which comprise When Your Heartstrings Break are at their core simple love songs; under their ironic surface, Miles Kurosky's lyrics possess a disarming sweetness which perfectly complements his buoyant melodies. Highly recommended. -AMG
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