Last time around, SINES was Jason Wann's synthesizer orchestra fronted by a rotating cast of female singers. To my ear, Kitty Richardson was the strongest and most engaging, and I'm quite pleased to see her esconced as half of an official duo. The pair pick up where they left off two years ago, spinning some of the most beautiful electronic pop going these days.

SINES Gravity (self-released)

The conceit of the album is the "true" story of an astronaut trapped in a wormhole in 1978 and then returning to earth earlier this year. The album notes refer to a story in The Sun (which unsurprisingly turns out to be a Googlenope), and I think that's enough about that. The music is just as playful as its fanciful concept.

Soaring hooks, bounding electronics--yes, there is a strong Erasure vibe here. Wann is a bit more techno in his influences, and Richardson has the pipes to elide some proggy melodic lines. But those are mere tangents. SINES has always been strongest when embracing lush choruses and musical joy, though the more experimental moments (as on "We Become Electric") manage to wriggle their way into the ears as well.

Billed as the debut album (as a duo), Gravity eclipses A Series of Moments in every aspect, first and foremost the full embrace of Richardson's voice. Wann remains a master of orchestral synth, and even the most conceptual moments are imbued with a sense of fun. As the days grow dimmer, this set glows ever brighter. Be still my heart.

Jon Worley