When does a side project become just a project, with no qualifier? Or even the primary project? Married rockers Doug Marvin and Annie Hart, she of Au Revoir Simone, he ex-Dirty on Purpose, blow these distinctions to bits with a sonic assault called A Pattern Language.

Doug and Annie recruited the rhythm section of cult space rock band Contrails and set out to explode ear drums by embedding a piercing guitar attack within hypnotic songs that gradually reveal themselves to patient listeners. While fans of their other bands might hear the shoegazey harmonics of Dirty on Purpose or the wistful melodies of Au Revoir Simone, no reference points are needed to fall in love with this rich, summery album.