Harking back to the jazz of the 1940s and '50s,
Rachael & Vilray's sophomore album, 2023's
I Love a Love Song!, is a delightfully romantic and swinging homage to the golden era of traditional pop. Showcasing the talents of singer
Rachael Price and singer/guitarist/songwriter
Vilray Blair Bolles,
Rachael & Vilray initially met while students at Boston's New England Conservatory before reconnecting around 2015 over their shared love of jazz standards and Tin Pan Alley pop. Although they've performed classic standards together (here, they take on
Mack Gordon and
Harry Revel's "Goodnight, My Love"), it's their knack for crafting their own swooning, literate songs in the traditional style of composers like
Cole Porter and
Johnny Mercer that makes their work so uniquely compelling. It's a vibe they debuted on 2019's
Rachael & Vilray and which they further perfect here. Even if their songs weren't so good (and they are)
Price and
Bolles can sing the heck out of a tune. Although best known for her funk-infused pop with
Lake Street Dive,
Price is a trained jazz singer whose dusky style evokes the cool, West Coast sound of icons like
June Christy and
Peggy Lee. Equally evocative,
Bolles' warm, matter of fact tone brings to mind a relaxing blend of
Dean Martin and
Perry Como. They take turns leading songs throughout the album, often trading choruses, or as on the magical,
Count Basie-esque "Just Two," sing in close harmony a la vocal groups like
the Modernaires. Other notable songs full of wry, melodic wordplay pop up throughout, as on
Bolles' "Why Do I" in which
Price compares her relationship woes to the animal world, singing "clams to my knowledge don't sigh/and moths ain't left wondering why/each time their fellow flies out, they needn't weep their eyes out/so why do I?" Also adding to the air of stylistic legitimacy are the duo's stellar backing ensemble featuring pianist
Larry Goldings, bassist
David Piltch, and drummer
Joe La Barbera. Also joining them again is saxophonist/arranger
Jacob Zimmerman and his horn section, all of which add to the old-school nightclub vibes
Rachael & Vilray are going for. ~ Matt Collar
![Desire [Remastered]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0827969239322_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Desire [Remastered]")
