Reaching back a bit further than the garage rock/New Wave revival sound one might expect, Moretti and his crew (which include bandmates Binki Shapiro on guitar and Rodrigo Amarante on bass and piano) look to the late ‘50s and early ‘60s for their muses. Think of the serenade James Darren dedicated to an ailing Sandra Dee in the original 1959 version of the quintessential teen surf movie, Gidget, and you’ve got the right idea. This is especially evident on the sweet and easygoing “No One’s Better Sake,” and the utterly charming and romantic opening number, “Next Time Around.” In addition to Amarante, though, Shapiro lends her vocal talents to several tracks, including the adorably seductive “Unattainable” and the hip, yet heartfelt, “Don’t Watch Me Dancing.”

Seemingly born out of an innocence and romanticism that the most jaded of hipsters could never condone, this album isn’t for those looking for a quick fix until the next Strokes album; Little Joy is anything but, though in the best way possible.

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