TESS PARKS AND ANTON NEWCOMBE

Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe 6/10

Another velvet underground morning from Brian Jonestown man and sugar-voiced muse

Newcombe’s Berlin studio bunker has seen a prolific place lately, pouring out Brian Jonestown Massacre albums and records by musicians he likes. Tess Parks falls into both categories, co-writing for BJM and this second duo record of post-Velvets dreamrock, which is dominated by her languid lead vocals. “French Monday Afternoon” gives a handy new definition of ennui, but Parks’ femme fatale vocal persona also serves sunnier moments, as unabashed love songs “Talking About the Weather” and “Please Never Die” outgrow the nihilism of Newcombe’s sources. Less happens musically, though.