Kitsuné America, Vol. 4

The French label's flirtation with America continues on this fourth volume of stylish Yankee indie music. As on Kitsuné America, Vol. 3, the focus is on lesser-known acts; the collection's biggest names, Toro y Moi and Twin Peaks, don't arrive until the end. Similarly, most of the set delves deeper into gauzy, slow-motion electropop and indie R&B tracks that blend into smooth atmospheres, as on Joyce Wrice's "Home Alone," Mothxr's "Centerfold," and Milk & Bone's "Coconut Water." However, the handful of indie rock songs provides some of the album's brightest highlights: Toro y Moi has gone through several incarnations since the last time he was featured on a Kitsuné collection, and "Empty Nesters," which morphs from sunny power pop to disco-rock halfway through, suggests he's not done changing. Likewise, Twin Peaks' "Telephone" and Heat's "This Life" show there's still life in guitar-based music while bringing a little more energy to the set. ~ Heather Phares