The bittersweet folk-pop of Hark the Herons is the brainchild of Glenn Lavender, bassist with the award-winning Canadian Christian group Downhere. Together with singer Kalyn Allan, he interweaves acoustic folk elements with sparkling touches of ‘60s pop on Under Skies. Allan’s pure-toned vocals define the emotional landscape of this album; her maidenly trills and brooding low notes convey longing mixed with innate optimism. Enhancing her performances are the duo’s imaginative arrangements, shifting from pristine, almost medieval sounds (“Bend, Break”) to nervous rock rhythms (“You’re Pretty But You’re Hollow”) without losing their creative unity. The beguiling “Layers Of Unknown” stands out for its catchy combination of banjo and brass. Lyrically, Hark the Herons shows a fondness for lost-love tunes (“Canadian Heart,” “Star-Crossed”) and expressions of togetherness (“Not Alone”). Spiritual overtones color tracks like “Rich Man” and “New Start To Start” in subtle ways. All told, Under Skies is a work of ingenuity that retains a touch of the naïve, a rare combination.