In the Sun

After distinguished tours of duty with lounge-pop pioneers the Coctails and post-rock innovators the Sea and Cake, Archer Prewitt finally steps out on his own with In the Sun, a buoyant and impeccably crafted record whose spare, gently insistent pop approach channels the creative spirit of his previous projects even as it stakes out territory entirely its own. While the slinky "Rush Hour" and "Work" offer up wry funk-pop grooves and the regal instrumental "You Walk By" anticipates the full-blown string and horn arrangements of the superior follow-up White Sky, by and large In the Sun maintains a simple, straightforward presence — Prewitt's clever melodies don't need much adornment to sink in, relying instead on his tasteful guitar leads and warm, intimate vocals.