New York/Boston quartet Strange Passage return after six years with A Folded Sky, a six-song 12″ that makes the wait feel entirely worth it. From the opening chords of Palace Behind the Shade, it’s like opening a long-sealed window — fresh air rushing in, jangly guitars chiming with purpose, and drums hitting way harder than you’d expect from a band compared to early R.E.M., Felt, or The Feelies.

The vocals hover casually over the mix, cool and understated, letting the band’s melodic instincts do the heavy lifting. A couple of songs in, during the fantastic Hunter’s Fancy, I was texting friends just to confirm I wasn’t imagining how great this sounds. They agreed. A Folded Sky is concise, confident, and surprisingly exhilarating — six songs that connect with every spin.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp