Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean (Deluxe Edition) (2011)

Sam Beam fell into our collective lap in 2002 with the gorgeous, stark, and lo-fi The Creek Drank the Cradle. The subsequent years have seen the singer/songwriter, performing as Iron & Wine, developing an increasingly personal style that comes across regardless of fidelity. His earthy, high-register vocals seemingly float into the clouds, making listeners feel like they’re lying in a meadow as the afternoon sun kisses their cheeks. In 2008, a wider audience learned of Iron & Wine’s cozy music thanks to a spot on the Twilight soundtrack. The forthcoming Iron & Wine album, Kiss Each Other Clean, includes an exclusive track and is an enchanting, folk-tinged collection — from the cooing harmonies on the picturesque opener “Far from Home” to the funky bass bobs on the spacious “Me and Lazarus” and the sax-y groove of “Big Burned Head.”