Wisely

According to Wisely's bio, the mantra for the recording sessions that produced his latest studio album was, "Could the Beatles have played this with Billy Preston on the rooftop?" (which refers to the Fab Four's infamous 1969 performance atop Abbey Road Studios). Wisely not only accomplishes that vision of a stripped-down, no-nonsense "live" band sound, he composes lyrics that are just as direct and unguarded by metaphor. "It's Gonna Be Beautiful" feels like the soundtrack to the sickeningly sweet, idealistic first few weeks of a new relationship — and in retrospect, the kind of music that it's usually hard to believe you were ever happy enough to like. But with an accomplished group of studio musicians lending a hand (to the tune of members of Paul McCartney's live band) and a celebrity endorsement from The Office's Jenna Fischer (she's in the video for "Through Any Window" — how cute), Wisely's slick brand of super-sunny California soft-rock will threaten to convert even the most jaded listener.