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Freelance Whales, ‘Weathervanes’ (Frenchkiss/Mom + Pop)

Banjo, harmonium, and glockenspiel create a humble, handmade vibe on this engaging Brooklyn band’s debut, but Weathervanes is actually an ambitious concept album. It tells the story of a young man who’s obsessed with a female spirit haunting his childhood home, setting reflections on love, mortality, and other large-scale subjects to sweet folky melodies. If the relentlessly tinkly music and Judah Dadone’s breathy, charming, vocals eventually wear thin, don’t overlook this crafty quintet’s flexible tunes:”Location” suggests a trashy, fun power ballad, while “Starring” could easily be repurposed as clattering R&B.