Love Me

Thomas Barfod rightly includes the track “Pulsing,” with vocalist Nina K, on his second full-length album. That tune, lifted from his EP of the same name, came out earlier in 2014—and as overlooked as that EP was, it’s only right to include it here as well. With lonely, heart-tugging, and lovely tunes like “Bell House” (featuring Luke Temple’s weedy falsetto) and “Sell You” (featuring Night Beds’ Winston Yellen) bookending runs of midtempo electro-pop that feels smart and vulnerable, “Pulsing” is a stellar example of Barfod at his composing best. The gentle throb of gray synths set against the glittering plinks of brighter notes and Nina K’s hummingbird-like delivery of pining lyrics is irresistible. The Danish auteur has a passion for juxtapositions of dark and light, organic and machine. From the blinking, strangely optimistic instrumental “Destiny’s Child” to the hollow, wool-trimmed pleading of “Aftermath” (again with Nina K) and the soulful, languid pulse of “Honey,” the blending of textures and moods here is wildly appealing.