There’s a particular charm to Tones, the new album by The Bergamot – something that can’t be easily quantified or described. There’s a certain enigmatic energy on this album, a kind of confidence that most musicians struggle to achieve. Nathaniel Paul Hoff and Jillian Speece construct songs with a strong pop sensibility, and when heard in succession there is an undeniable power to them. This is also combined with a fantastic backing band. The arrangements are almost impeccable, and Jillian in particular sounds strong when her vocals are supported by lush instrumentation.

The Bergamot is a Brooklyn-based husband-and-wife alternative folk duo consisting of Nathaniel Paul Hoff and Jillian Speece. The duo burst into the scene in 2012 and continue to create new music, stating that they write songs that “weaves intimate storytelling with articulate instrumentation” and “combines both the joys and heartaches of life into a story.” They draw influences from classic…