Lovers Blessings is nine songs and thirty-seven minutes of gloomy, post-punk inspired by Bauhaus, Joy Division, and Swans. I’m not normally a fan of most post-punk, as more often than not present-day bands that play this genre come off as trying too hard to be dark and mysterious. Lowlands, however, is neither fake nor cheesy. Rather, the guitars, synth, drums, and low vocals are played and sung from the heart with sincerity. This is the world they’re living in. I’m sure you’ve been there, too, at some point. It’s the one with far too many bleak winter days or rainy nights. If that sounds like your bag, check out Lovers Blessings. –Kurt Morris (Thrill Me, thrillmerecords.com)