Seraphina Lotkhamnga on August 29th, 2012

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Jimmy LaValle has been working hard under the moniker The Album Leaf since 1998, and the years have only made him a stronger songwriter. The San Diego-based musician hits his stride as an exceptional maestro of ambient electronica and post-rock with his follow-up to 2010’s “A Chorus of Storytellers.” Although he’s shed the vocals for an instrumental focus again this time, songs like “Descent” off of the new “Forward/Return” EP is a riveting listen. Rich hues, textures and an exuberant drive exhibit that he and his band (this particular lineup featuring Matt Resovich, Brad Lee and David LeBleu) have come a long way from being the band that happened to grab a chunk of opening slots on Sigur Ros’ 1999 tour. The “Forward/Return” EP drops Sept. 18. LaValle has also just released digitally his soundtrack to the 2010 documentary film “Torey’s Distraction.”

||| Download: “Descent”

||| Live: The Album Leaf play Aug. 31 at the Observatory in the Constellation Room, and on Sept. 29 at the Satellite.