North Carolina’s acoustic indie rocker Ryan Dunson, aka Rookie of the Year is back in action with his newest release since his last full length from 2008. The new album The Goodnight Moon Part II, a sequel, is set to be released this August 13th 2013. The album has songs which speak of love and loss, in a familiar, realistic manner, recorded with a somewhat electric/acoustic/poppy feel. “Love and War”, preaches the story of a somewhat crumbling relationship, saying “You loved me in an accidental way” and “When the day begins, will you let me in?” where more upbeat songs like “Wild and Free” boast a slightly happier tone of melody, as well as lyrics. My new found favorite song off the album has got to be track 6, titled “Colors of Summer”. It reminds me of something produced by The Maine, or possibly Owl City, with a great beat, and somewhat poppy chorus, a bit different from the more acoustic sounding songs on the album. “It feels like we are young kids in the rain, smoking cigarettes to ease the pain” The lyrics take you on a trip down memory lane, growing up in your early teens, being slightly defiant and in love. All though many teenage love songs have been written and produced, Rookie of the Year songs took serious manners, and turned them into relaxing, happy songs, msking them less depressing, but sincere and realistic as well. Overall, I believe the new release will be popular among old fans, and new ones alike. It serves for a good soundtrack to a summer roadtrip, and I encourage readers to give it a listen.