Over the course of the past decade, few bands have championed Santa Barbara’s music scene as unconditionally as Watercolor Paintings. In between innumerable shows, DIY and otherwise, founding members (and sister and brother) Rebecca and Josh Redman have hosted live bands and radio programs, dutifully promoted the work of others, and collaborated with more area music makers, fans, and advocates than we could even attempt to count. All that said, When You Move doesn’t necessitate resting on the do-gooder laurels of its makers. Over the course of 12 tracks, Move shimmies, shimmers, and plunges deep — Rebecca’s sweet, stream-of-consciousness deliveries hovering somewhere between Kimya Dawson’s and Julia Holter’s. In previous incarnations, the band existed in a strictly lo-fi, often twee-inspired setting. Here, Rebecca and her cohorts up the sonic ante, cranking up the bass a few notches and employing some seriously mood-setting fret work. On “Showers of Stones,” chugging guitars play nicely off Rebecca’s somber and layered vocals, and “So Dark” gets a little light thanks to a barely there guitar line that slowly comes to life right alongside the song’s lyrics. As far as next steps go, When You Move is a bold, fearless, and ultimately rewarding move in a new direction. Who ever said nice guys finish last?

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