Eleanor Friedberger goes it alone, leaving the Fiery Furnaces – just for a moment – letting her voice kick it with tracks that stay on a singular course. It’s an album of pop-warming, acoustic and synth-fuelled sunshine, yet opts for a few obscure shortcuts along the way.

Friedberger must have had a pile of tracks ready to go – maybe they were deemed too friendly for the day job (not that the Furnaces are unfriendly)? ‘My Mistakes’ strums in a tin can, joined by the singer’s great vocal, only to get a buzzing synth and big bass-line opening the chorus and the lid to the blue skies. ‘I Won’t Fall Apart On You Tonight’ bangs at a similar pace – pianos, keys and a snare drum turning the wheels. And as the acoustics and bass huddle up for the sweet swinging ‘Scenes from Bensonhurst’ Friedberger’s voice is laid atop with a gentle reflection and thoughtful performance.

Her words continually sway between the descriptive, elusive and nostalgic – check ‘One Month Marathon’ where she sings, “Can I play in your closet, can I poke round your drawer, can I see through your mirror, can I come in your store”. It somehow creates a boxful full of blurred Polaroids that tell a story or two.

Tracks like ‘Owl’s Head Park’ and ‘Glitter Gold Year’ turn different corners, disconnecting the rhythms. On the former Friedberger engages in some fast-talking over a slower tempo, which in turn completely engages the listener.

Other highs include ‘Heaven’, which lounges in warm piano chords and a lifted, communal spirit. ‘Roosevelt Island’, on the other hand, is funk-overload – a high-speed car chase down memory lane.

It’s not so much the melodies, rather the effortless cool that puts ‘Last Summer’ up there with the best of Eleanor Friedberger’s work with the Furnaces – and Bowlegs hopes she can find time for another spontaneous road trip.

-Jon Harper-