Scott Leitch, a.k.a. Shelf Life, has released a new full-length album Spirit Bear. The collection of songs captures a pared-down, earnest vibe. However, while anchored in acoustic simplicity, the album ventures in different directions, establishing strong, melodic, pop-rock grooves that open up in an illuminating fashion; conversely, a shadier grunge element also becomes visible. It isolates, stripping down the exterior world, hitting the personal core, and then jutting out of the darkness.
