Lauren OConnell is able to reify the casual urban poetics of the Bay area, complete with acoustic roots, delicious irony, and a satisfying hook.

Luke James Shaffer, with his new single Last First Kiss, brings a unique roots-pop sensibility to one of the classic themes of human art, which is first love.

With those gorgeous harmonies floating around that kick and snare both feel like footsteps from the same behemoth, marching through an empty city.

Its got that stompy Credence-style straight-ahead groove with a lot of acoustic guitar over the top. Its a picking party and a folk-rock afternoon drinking song.

It is clear that a significant segment of the US population is captured, to an alarming degree, by the tough-love notion that to get things done, we must give away half the sandwich.

The kick drum sounds deep and mysterious; when the mix kicks in fully for a moment it is much like the rumblings of a rock army. 

Its a soul-heavy pop sound somewhere between Ray LaMontagne and Allen Stone. The lead vocal is emotional and endearing, with equal parts gravel and a shattered vibrato.

The heart of this song is, as its name, smooth and luxurious. It features an organic and ethereal groove that feels warm against the skin.