Jenny Lewis’s new record, On the Line, is a peculiar listen for the uninitiated. Sure, Lewis has a fantastic voice and a knack for delivering kitschy turns of phrase, and that’s been her most notable calling card since her days fronting Rilo Kiley. She’s progressed into more elaborate pop songwriting since then, and while it still has the power to be life-altering (“Heads Gonna Roll,” “Hollywood Lawn”), it’s a slow-burn sort of record that labors itself with big ballads. It’s self-deprecating and heavy on waster imagery, but despite the slog, Lewis manages to reward repeated listeners with magical subtleties that will make you forget everything I just wrote.

by Ryan J. Prado