Kevin Bronson on April 10th, 2012

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The deceivingly genteel folk-pop songs on Jim Hanft’s new album “Weddings or Funerals” (out today) are, in a sense, a lot about getting somewhere, either physically (“Alternate Route”) or romantically (“Lazy Love”). Then again, geography has always figured prominently in he L.A.-based singer-songwriter’s music. His 2008 debut “Backyard Waltz” revolved around his move from the East Coast to L.A., and his new album of Americana was actually birthed in Sweden, with producer Lasse MÃ¥rtén, who has worked with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Shout Out Louds, Peter Bjorn and John and Pink. “Weddings or Funerals” was recorded in 2010 for Swedish imprint Veranda Records and is only now seeing U.S. release. Hanft’s music has sonic brethren in L.A. artists such as Daniel Ahearn & the Jones (especially Hanft’s duets with Samantha Yonack) and Olin & the Moon – tunes with big heart and easy melodies and a dusting of Amemica’s back roads.

||| Download: “Kerosene”

||| Live: Jim Hanft performs Wednesday at the Hotel Cafe.

||| Previously: “Burn Me in My Boots”