Cost (2005)

Patrick Phelan's quiet-is-the-new-loud aesthetic is hardly rare these days; neither is his preoccupation with romance. Thankfully, what Cost lacks in lyrical originality (and, occasionally, memorable melodies), it makes up for with its evocative, dreamscape-y sound. It's hard to pinpoint any standout songs; the album's layered, vaguely exotic instrumentation and Phelan's hushed vocals are all lovely, but come across more like an early Gus Van Sant film score than anything else. That said, Cost does make for ideal bedtime music — and that's by no means an insult.