Floating Action's self-titled debut is the latest work of North Carolina's Seth Kauffman and company. Much like his previous full-length, Research, this album expands in a lot of directions, all of them with a lo-fi warmth that is remarkable and instantly distinctive about Kauffman's work.

Floating Action is a more developed installment from Kauffman, who is proving to be an essential talent featured on New Orleans-based Park the Van Records. Much like Research, these songs reflect a vintage pop sensibility, with influences covering home-grown reggae of the early '70s, classic R&B and psychedelia-tinged folk. This list of genres is by no means exhaustive and one of the reasons why Kauffman is such a brilliant artist to follow. He draws freely from a range of diverse musical veins.

50 Lashes bursts open with a bright, sticky groove that contrasts lush yet eerie harmonies and Kauffman's melancholy and forlorn voice. The song features a critical space between groove and harmony which sounds a lot like what would happen if the J.B.'s invited Gram Parsons on a tour through the West Indies in 1973 while being fed peyote by Ken Kesey.

Kauffman has tried to create a dance record with Floating Action, and yet this album is such a departure from what is commonly thought of as dance music, owing to the contrast between instantly danceable rhythms and crushing, tender melodies. Floating Action makes for conflicted dancing because of this. To Connect is filled with such a sense of longing which sways between the shuffling beat and lonesome slide guitar. When Kauffman sings "If only to connect with you one day..." there’s a sense of tender futility and guarded resolve that permeates not only the lyrics, but also the way the liquid guitar lines moan to accompany the vocals.

The stylistic range between songs stands out on this album. It's not a conflict for psychedelic grooves in a dub style such as So Vapor or Pills To Grind to mix and melt with more folk-oriented songs like Marie Claire and Edge of the World . This sense of stylistic freedom makes Floating Album such a unique and captivating record.

Fans of Little Joy and labelmates Dr. Dog will enjoy Floating Action. It's an album perfectly suited for the rapidly approaching long and lazy days of the summer. This album is iced tea for the sonic soul: seek shade, relax and enjoy.

Recommended Tracks:
50 Lashes
So Vapor