As winter approaches, the darker evenings of Daylight Savings Time kick in and things cool down, you’ll undoubtedly be spending more time cooped up inside and, I’m guessing, listening to a few more tunes. And while it’s still 80 degrees and sunny in California, Los Angeles’ Ultimate Bearhug seemed to have crafted just the right type of music for said seasonal onset. And you’ll find this even more true if you’ve managed to find a beaux for the winter months. As the name lets on, Ultimate Bearhug aims to create songs that “will hug you”. Moreover, with their lead songstress aptly named “Doll” and an appropriately similar voice, you’d be missing out not to include Ultimate Bearhug’s new Just South of Los Angeles album in your bedroom record pile. As Doll sings early on in track “I’ll Be Your Woman”, “when the daylight goes down, babe, I’ll be your Good Night”, a fitting lyric to sum up the vibe of Bearhug’s new album. Their music certainly bodes better in a particular mood/setting, but Ultimate Bearhug have put together a record of honest, straight-forward, heart-on-sleeve, folk love tracks without diverging too far into the often mopey or sappy excesses of the genre.

So go ahead and make the most of the darker winter hours and give Ultimate Bearhug’s Just South of Los Angeles a listen. Maybe it’ll even inspire you to find a new sig-O who’ll be telling you “no where else I’d rather be when you’re next to me” in no time. And if you’re in the LA area, watch for upcoming live dates.