NYC twosome Molly Shea and Jason Klauber, otherwise known as Acrylics, are a lo-fi indie act with some seriously 80s sensibilities. Their new album, Lives and Treasures, loaded with sweeping arrangements and floaty vocals, has all the makings of a close-to-flawless full-length debut.

Opening track “Counting Sheep” tells a noticeably emo tale of trying to get to sleep beside your beloved on a hot, hot summer night. Luckily the sounds are so soothing, yet catchy, you can’t help but hit repeat. Ah, finally a record to replace the Postal Service perfection Give Up. The male/female vocals really work for this duo and it really helps that Shea has a slightly gentler Neko Case thing going on.

Most of the tracks on Lives and Treasures are slow-building, technically impressive numbers. Though a bit sleepy at times, the laid-back instrumentals are cleverly highlighted with thoughtful lyrics throughout. On the rhythmic stand-out “Nightwatch” Shea takes us on a romantic ride with a slide guitar, “I believe in you, I believe in infinity / As I was watching you join the horizon, I was watching you sign the confession / I believe in truth, I believe in infinity.” The time changes are perfect, the voice is slightly scorned and it’s great.

Fading into another retro-inspired song,” Tortoise Shell Shades”, Acrylics bring a more plucky, folksy sentiment to this versatile record. Klauber carries the tune, and Shea is haunting in the background as a slide-guitar lazily brings it all together. Never has a song about sunglasses been so heartwarming and, gasp, cute.

Though Lives and Treasures is slightly let down by the title track, it’s not all lost when we come to the close. An all-business composition with a mellow-synth overlay works but unfortunately the lyrics are missing. It’s almost as if Acrylics came up with such a brilliant arrangement, they just couldn’t quite find the words to match. A pity, but there’s good stuff here.

All in all, Acrylics are bringing back the best of the 1980’s new wave punctuated by earnest, genuine lyrics and even more earnest melodies.

Conclusion: Listen carefully to the band that dares to be quiet.