Critiques CD: Mikal Cronin | MCII

This record has already begun making big twenty-foot waves with both critics and fans, and one listen in you hear why. Young twenty-something Mikal Cronin virtually plays it all on his sophomore release – his 2011 self-titled debut was largely and sadly ignored – ten tracks of summer sun, surf, and love. While Cronin’s day job is to anchor fellow musical brat Ty Segall’s loud and brash rhythm section on four-string, here he steps off the gas and volume to focus on all things melody, harmony, and hook. Dipping his toes in pools of psychedelic pop and salty rock, Cronin and a few guests (strings, piano and Segall on a few wicked solos) bang their way through shimmering confessionals, with a few garage rockers thrown in for good measure.