Some music seems tailor-made to fit certain seasons. Much of Radiohead's canon, for example, would be well-suited to long, dark, wintry nights. Conversely, few things better match a beautiful summer day than blasting a song like U2's "Beautiful Day" from your stereo.

Continuing in this vein, Melochrome sound like they got together for the sole purpose of creating music made to be played on warm summer nights, for those times when you and your friends are just sitting around on a porch enjoying cool drinks and a good conversation. Everything about Stay A Little Longer is perfect for a warm August evening. Lead vocalist Prammod Tummala has a soothing, calm voice, which is complimented by the music's gentle tone. If you've never heard Melochrome, imagine a version of Belle and Sebastian without that group's sometimes-overwhelming fragility and feyness.

Nothing about Stay A Little Longer could be described as immediate or arresting. Instead of going for the jugular, so to speak, Melochrome has created an album that gradually works its way into your subconscious -- never being too obvious about it, but demanding repeated listenings nonetheless. "Seasonlong" and "The Years Go By" are both excellent examples of superb songwriting, managing a tricky but delicious balance between fresh sounds and nostalgic appeal. The mood peaks with "Aqueduct", a seven minute burst of instrumental perfection that's best described as blissful.

For nine months of the year, Stay A Little Longer is beautiful pop music -- likeable if somewhat out-of-season sounds that will help keep you warm with thoughts of summer during the cold winter months. When June 21st rolls around, however, the album will blossom into the perfect seasonal soundtrack. Buy it, turn it up, lay back and enjoy the rest of the summer.