Artist: The Ruby SunsAlbum: Fight SoftlyLabel: Sub PopRelease Date: Tomorrow (March 2)Rating (Skip, Stream, or Buy): BuyDownload:

“Cranberry”Album covers can say a lot about the record they encase, and in this case the colorfully flowing vibe of The Ruby Sun’s third release Fight Softly extends into a record that could very well comprise 2010’s sunshine electro-anthem. Following Sea Lion, their 2008 world-music inspired hit that took on a tropical ambience of its own, the new record makes good on frontman Ryan McPhun’s promise of an effort incorporating far more synth and bass–almost reminiscent of the sound that brought Animal Collective to the musical forefront with Merriweather Post Pavilion. The melodies are certainly nebulous–sometimes a little too much so–but by rising to climax and ebbing into mid-song transitions the album stays under control without being tame. From track one to ten, songs stretch across a kaleidoscope that incorporates the best calypso sensibilities into helplessly catchy tunes.