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Don’t be fooled by the brooding voice and introspective tunes: Canada’s Ron Sexsmith isn’t just another wimpy singer-songwriter. Though he excels at heartbreaking melodies that recall Brian Wilson, there’s a fierce, simmering intensity to tracks like “Ghost of a Chance” and “The Impossible World,” philosophical yet engaging chronicles of the search for hope in the ashes of despair. In addition to serving up luscious portions of luminous chamber pop, Sexsmith takes a country detour for the jaunty “Poor Helpless Dreams” and wails soulfully on “Brandy Alexander,” cowritten with Feist. Exit Strategy of the Soul is the perfect antidote to irony overload.
