Darkly childlike

Picture this: Little Kirbys are flouncing about furiously with air guitars strapped to their round bodies as they hastily build a dreamland. They occasionally pause to rock out, or engage in gleeful Polyphonic Spree-like vocal harmonies. 

Now, you’ve got the soundscape of Citay’s latest disc, “Dream Get Together.”

The titles of the eight-song opus are certainly cute enough — see “Tugboat” and “Mirror Kisses,” a contemplation of the ego’s delusions. 

“Mirror Kisses” is easily the most beautiful song on the album. It is highlighted by an acoustic strum and lyrics of self-lovin’: “When I look in the mirror / I make a move on me / The only one that you can kiss is yourself.”

It’s not all cutesy aerobics, however.

“Secret Breakfast” starts cute, but then ventures into a swirling pad arrangement near the end of its seven minutes that is so dark and psychedelic, you wonder what exactly is being digested at this so-called breakfast. 

The album’s lasting effect is jarring, and at times confusing, but it’s definitely a trip worth returning to.

Be sure to pack a flashlight and a life-size stuffed bunny rabbit.