Slow Pulp's Melodie hums with the confidence of a band coming into their own

Before they were special guests at the millennial sob fest that was The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie anniversary tour, Slow Pulp shed their fair share of tears. That they've risen to such great heights is miraculous considering the dark cloud that's followed them to Chicago, where they're now based. Compared to the illness and disaster that plagued prior recordings, the circumstances surrounding their third album and second for Anti- are uneventful. Perhaps that's why they felt the need to shake things up themselves. It's slightly uneven, but Melodie hums with the confidence of a band that's coming into their own. Slow Pulp have played together in some capacity since high school, but they've yet to decide what kind of indie rockers they want to be. While their debut captured a sizeable audience with its lo-fi take on 2010's dream pop, the sequel won over critics by flashing back to '90s alternative rock and country. Not to be outdone, Melodie changes key not once but three times. The album begins with back-to-back strolls through indie-folk's peace and quiet, and it's a little underwhelming – but only at first. The rosy nostalgia of "Yellow and Green" resonates much deepe...