The Mantles don't work fast: they've been around since 2006 and Long Enough to Leave is only their second album. This unhurried attitude is reflected in the music as their songs gently roll along in a relaxed wave of neo-psych guitar pop that calls to mind classic Flying Nun albums and the cream of the paisley underground. The songs are simple and laid-back, but packed with jangling layers of acoustic and electric guitars, rumbling bass, and the occasional keyboard peeking through the tangle of sound. Michael Olivares' unschooled voice fits into the mix nicely, and Kelley Stoltz's production is free of clutter. The band's approach doesn't lend itself to songs that immediately stand out; unlike previous records where there were some real punchy singles, it's more of an immersive experience. Once you listen a couple times, the calm and collected mood of the record really sticks in your mind, much like what happens when you spin records by the Bats or the Rain Parade. That's not to say the songs lack hooks or energy; both those elusive traits are all over the place. Whether it's the vocal lines that sneak up on you like a summer storm, the guitars that crackle with electricity, or the little touches like the bells on "Hello" or the sweet-as-pie female backing vocals (courtesy of drummer Virginia Weatherby) that pop up from time to time, there are plenty of things to grab you as the album sinks in deeper with each play. The band's specialty is crafting melancholic midtempo songs that feed clouds into your heart, and most of the album stick to this with varying degrees of sadness and tempo. They break out a few times, on the propulsive "Hello" and "More That I Pay," and the intricately arranged psychedelic mood piece "Bad Design," but these are just quick glimpses of sunlight before heading back under the blankets. While Long Enough to Leave may lack some of the punch and energy of previous releases, it shows the Mantles developing their own sound and the record grows more and more powerful with each play.