Azure Ray sounds more like a secret Belly b-side than a duo from Alabama (which they are). But what makes them work is that they've been together since they were 15 (kinda like me and the wrinkle on my forehead) and their haunting vocals and guitars mix up Mazzy Star with the harmless drone of a My Bloody Valentine rift. No big studio production, but enough layers to convince you to take them seriously on a snowy day.

Here on "If You Fall" they approach a level where their spare instrumentality sounds like Shonen Knife sitting next to Prince, happily sipping earl grey tea.

Listen.