Music: Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future

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The second album from the Los Angeles duo of producer-keyboardist Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen, Beck) and singer Inara George combines luscious melodies, sly wit, and old-fashioned heart. Inspired by lounge pop, epic movie themes, and psychedelia, Kurstin creates a lush backdrop for George, a languid vocalist who can deliver a hilarious ode to David Lee Roth (“Diamond Dave”) or croon the tenderest love song (the Carpenters-like “Baby”) with equal skill. However elaborate the sounds, she never forsakes emotion—”Lifespan of a Fly” is, like the rest of Ray Guns, funny and surprisingly touching at once.