The 11 songs on Battery Lane, the sophomore album from Pittsburgh singer-songwriter Zack Keim, take a big step from his 2017 debut, as scrappy garage rock and indie-folk come together with plenty of melodies and detailed songcraft that never sits in one place too long. 
The upbeat and rhythmic “Canyon” leads with Keim’s distinct voice that finds plenty of harmonies alongside playful percussion and a bit of a bedroom-pop feel. “Better Days” follows, and focuses more on the raw drumming and a throwback recording that comes with a retro feel and jangly fun. It’s the meticulous acoustic guitar and mesmerizing tambourine that makes “Wash Away The Pain” the best track on the first side.
Further into the first half, the instrumental “Woodley Park” is brief but tugs on the heartstrings, and the title track finds itself in more straight forward folk territory thanks to the cautious rhythm section and cozy singing.
The second half is even more fantastic, not that first few tracks are anything to spit at. “25 Years” is about as fierce as Keim will get, where the animated and raw rock points right at garage rock. “Alice” then welcomes Bob Powers on lap steel and Laurel Wain’s vocals to the rich, crisp and nostalgic songwriting.
The last couple of tracks continue the diversity and unique songwriting. “Color” swirls with power and emotion that’s textured with haze and “Comet” exits with Anthony Jardine’s electric guitar and organ helping create AM-friendly balladry.
A really distinct record that can remind us of Matt Costa, The Fratellis, Jack Johnson, Death Cab For Cutie, The Strokes or even Paul McCartney, Battery Lane shows that Keim is well versed in sonic ideas, colorful dramatics and wall-of-sound harmonies that unfold with psychedelia and romance.