Earthtones

For his fourth album, Canada's Afie Jurvanen, better known as Bahamas, makes a pronounced shift from neo-folk balladeer to sultry indie soul man. Eschewing the acoustic-guitar framework of earlier outings for sinuous, minimalist R&B vamps, he maintains an intimate vibe while considerably amping up the groove quotient. The sunny, easy-rolling feel of "Opening Act (The Shooby Dooby Song)" and the sensual but socially conscious "Bad Boys Need Love Too" show the range Jurvanen remains capable of in his soul-slinging guise.