The Delines are an alternative-country group hailing from Portland, Oregon and featuring members of the Decemberists, the Minus 5, and, most importantly, Richmond Fontaine. Colfax, the band’s first album, released in 2014 on Decor Records, is a stunning debut. The Delines bring the indie-rock sensibility of the band’s pedigree to an alt-country sound. Vocally, Neko Case comes to mind as a comparison. The use of slide guitar as a near-ethereal accent to the overall song arrangements has a similar effect to the use of slide guitar by the band Calexico. The songs are often reminiscent of ’90s psych-tinged country-rock like Cowboy Junkies or Mazzy Star, especially true on one of the album’s standout tracks, “I Won’t Slip Up.” Comparisons aside, singer Amy Boone’s voice brings Willy Vlautin’s lyrics to life, creating evocative stories fleshed out by the downtempo, hazy country-rock so distinct from Vlautin’s Richmond Fontaine project. Killer record—one that sadly flew under the radar last year.