This week XL will release Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, the new Devendra Banhart album.

If it were really a movement, Devendra, maybe along with Sufjan Stevens and Joanna Newsom, would be the leader of the new acid folk/indie folk movement. Although most people think of him as a San Francisco musician he was born in Houston, raised in Venezuela, got popular in New York and now lives in L.A. When NPR debuted his official debut album in 2003 they likened him to a mix of Billie Holiday, Beck, and Tiny Tim. They weren't that far off-base, although instead, I'd sum him up as... unique. "Seahorse" is the longest song from the new 16-track album-- and the one I like best.