Eleni Mandell

The Los Angeles chanteuse heads out in a slightly different direction with each release, but her tendencies toward country shuffles and late-night, jazzy torch riffs meld perfectly on this survey of doomed affairs, the varieties and vagaries of relationships. She can’t be seen kissing the make-out king; lightning’s striking all around this desert town, and she’s in the parking lot with a perfect stranger; in the winter of her feelings she wants a road she can drive on, a love she can rely on. Some unusual instrumental accompaniment—harp, celeste, vibes—is carefully sprinkled around the vocals. Her sultry alto and hushed breathy—almost a whisper—delivery walks us past the local dive saying miss me, miss me, while her insightful musings and meanings cohabit in wistful niches.