So this album is exciting for me. Not only have I been anticipating it for months, but it finally comes out on today, my birthday. (I am writing you from the past dear readers.) More exciting than blowing out a few candles is that there’s always one last glorious snowfall for the year before my birthday week, and after that it’s smooth sailing to spring. This new Ruby Suns could be a soundtrack for the upcoming season of blissful, organic melting, teeming with new life.

It’s more mature, wiser even, than their darling field recording laced kiwi pop earlier releases on Lil’ Chief Records. Fight Softly keeps the field recordings, utilizes that afro beat, tropicalia two-step and washed-out synth that critics are salivating over and psychs it out over contemplative dance beats and bass. I’m positive that this album will top year end lists, even in the sea of chill-wave that it surfs in upon. There’s real maturity and consideration behind this album, maybe it’s world weary. After all, this is the sound of globalization, with knowledge of its downfalls.

Suns’ singer-song writer Ryan McPhun explained in a brief interview with Pitchfork that the title Fight Softly was “a kind of joke; it’s a way of saying ‘don’t fight.’” Good advice Ryan. ‘Tis the season to space out, so come grab a copy and get ready to dance like it’s your birthday.