BAHAMAS

If not for its twin indie-rock guitars—one glistening, the other grinding—the Bahamas standout “Never Again” might pass for a Lenny Kravitz ballad. And that would be just fine—having spent years playing with fellow Canadian singer Feist, Afie Jurvanen is no stranger to mainstream acclaim. But on his second disc under this tropical moniker, he paddles farther out from the pop mainland. Give him an acoustic guitar, and he’ll give you “Montreal” or “Any Other Way”—modern takes on old-timey standards. With an electric guitar and a little reverb, he’ll do snappy retro soul. His island isn’t immune to gloom, but even at his most heartbroken, he’s sufficiently sunny—more a vacationer than a castaway.