Cinema

The full-length debut of the Marías -- singer María Zardoya, drummer/producer Josh Conway, and band -- Cinema is appropriately named not only for its expansive, retro-tinged psych-soul-bossa pop; the album was directly inspired by the core duo writing music together for films. A slinky highlight, the cautionary "Hush," has a video that was influenced by directors Pedro Almodóvar and Wes Anderson. Both sleek and sophisticated throughout, Cinema's nocturnal tone is guided by Zardoya's seductive, sighing vocals, which slide between English and the occasional Spanish (as well as French) as seamlessly as the ephemeral tracks are well-suited for the club, car, or headphone listening. ~ Marcy Donelson