Mild Monk’s newest work, Pocket Comforts, released through Hartford’s Funnybone Records, is the peace everybody needs during the chaos of the holidays. The ambient album is a moment to relax and center yourself with a loved one in front of a fire place or on a drive between hectic stops. It’s upbeat, lowkey nature will revive you and appreciate all that this season is about: family and reflection.

With Pocket Comforts, Mild Monk has created something that will play just as well on a beach in July as it does in the space between Christmas and New Year’s. It strikes a tone that is both whimsical and instinctive, with production taking advantage nature sounds; birds chirping, the surf lapping against the sand. It does this while also somehow grasping the future with a mix of electronic instrumentation that sounds cosmic.

Small Steps, Shiki No Uta, and Warmth are the most striking tracks, but the entire project is a cohesive 21 minute journey that will be over much too soon. Reach for Pocket Comforts the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the world, or if you just want to sit and watch the world go by.