Ghost on Ghost
Forget wine – a decade ago, when we met Sam Beam, his music felt more like a bottomless mug of warm, soothing chamomile. Beam has worked hard to move past that first impression in recent years, spiking his acoustic folk songs with unexpected psychedelic flourishes. His vision seems to get grander with each album: On Ghost on Ghost, Iron and Wine‘s fifth LP, Beam surrounds his wide-eyed vocals with vast, spiraling galaxies of Beach Boys harmonies, New Orleans funeral horns, shimmering strings, drum fills and more. The overall effect can still be a little drowsy, but the best tunes here are the kind of dreams that will stay on your mind long after waking.