I don’t think I’m alone in saying the music I listen to proves to be a mood ring of sorts. What I happen to be listening to is a reflection of how I’m feeling. Conversely, how I’m feeling can be a reflection of what I am listening to if the music is really that well done. Seattle musician Jake Jones started a noise pop solo project to accomplish just that. Jones has said in the past that he started the project, actually called Sick Sad World, to improve his own outlook, and as far as being a listener goes, it worked. This music translates to the feeling of sunshine on a West Coast day.

The latest release by this lo-fi group is Fear and Lies, which experiments across the spectrum of rock. Jones attributes his surf rock guitar movements to inspirations like Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. The opening track “Skateboarding Girl” sounds like the indie rock stylings of The Vaccines or maybe a more fast-paced Beach Fossils track, but by “Keep it Real” elements of garage rock creep in.

Released this previous May through Help Yourself Records, the album has propelled Jones to tour with the likes of Colleen Green and La Luz. It has also propelled my mood on this cold New England day. If you’re looking to “not be shitty all the time” as Jones claimed he aimed to do with this record, give it a listen.