As summer turns to autumn, Palmer’s debut album, “3 foot 5,” which was released on Wednesday, is perfect to get you in the mood for falling leaves and cool nights with a beautiful blend of indie, folk and soft rock sounds. Atmospheric background vocals and lyrics that have a refreshing and satisfying flow create a sound that feels like fresh-baked cookies and a cup of warm apple cider.

Several of the tracks on the album feature background vocals from Palmer Hubbell’s wife, Autumn Hubbell, which undoubtedly contributes to the sincere and loving auditory tone that can be traced throughout the album. With the album’s runtime adding up to just over 30 minutes, there is plenty of heart and soul packed into each song.

This album is unmistakably a departure from the topics and overall tone of Palmer’s past hits like “BOYFRIEND KILLER” and “PEOPLE FUEL,” both of which had a stronger rock and alternative influence with strong bass lines and edgier lyrics, but his new album still packs a punch in unexpected ways.

The opening track, “Piggyback,” does a wonderful job at establishing the tone of the album, exploring themes of growing up and coping with feeling small in the real world. While the percussion and piano are aptly placed, the lyrics of the chorus feel slightly uninspired. Still, the track has great energy and is refreshing.

The excellence of Autumn Hubbell’s background vocals is on full display in “Love You Still,” maintaining the warm momentum as the album progresses. The vocals are blended phenomenally, all while simultaneously providing a fantastic balance against a parallel mix of electric and acoustic guitar.

The third track, “My Fault,” is a sure standout on the album with its focus on anticipating the end of a relationship before it even begins. The tempo picks up in a digestible way that’s incredibly satisfying to the ear. The satisfying build-up and suspense preceding the wonderfully crafted chorus and the vocal distortion at the end of the track both add a unique auditory layer that makes the track ear-catching.

The next tracks, “Endlessly” and “Killin’ Time,” are good listens that are noticeably heartfelt in their lyricism. “Endlessly” features lots of echo effects, and while it starts relatively unimpressive, it has a few notable moments, like when he yells “sick,” breaking up the movement of the song — definitely a pleasing theatrical moment. Nevertheless, these two tracks are overshadowed by how honest and moving “Ms. Evergreen” is.

Presumably an ode to his wife, the track is fulfilling and touching with lovely lyrics and an amazing half step in the chorus that could easily melt any heart. The song lyrics are grounded in nature and create such a cozy feel that easily makes “Ms. Evergreen” the best track off the album; specifically, the line “My world crashes, her love branches” is incredibly wholesome and evocative. There’s also an amazing trumpet solo that feels unique on an album that is mostly stripped down.

While it’s hard to follow such a fantastic track, “Shampoo” definitely delivers, though it’s a slightly different tone. This song is upbeat and swings, evoking a feeling of having a crush on someone mixed with being slightly desperate but in the sincerest way possible. The guitar strum pattern is addictive, as is the chorus with its opening line, “I’m drooling over you.”

“Blue Moon” is the eighth track on the album and features a lovely string arrangement that feels individual on this album, but it would’ve ultimately worked a lot better as the last track on the album because of that unique, almost cinematic feel that it provides. The music swells in all the right places and forces any listener to find a little peace.

The piano, guitar and strings instrumentals of “Blue Moon” all meshing together feel dreamlike, and the lyrics focused on an idyllic life among the stars with a lover seem like such a perfect place to end the album. Unfortunately, the album has three more tracks that follow, to slight disappointment. 

“Years Not The Same,” “Carleigh’s Lullaby” and “The Lord’s Prayer” don’t have the same impact on the listener as any of the other tracks on the album and feel slightly forgettable. “Years Not The Same” could’ve worked well as an interlude before “Ms. Evergreen,” as the line “My year’s not the same without Autumn” is assuredly a reference to Palmer’s wife. Unfortunately, these three tracks let the album fizzle out rather than keep the momentum the previous songs set up. 

The debut album in its entirety is a sublime project that is worth listening to. Palmer does a great job in capturing varied emotions and topics related to getting older and loving in such a condensed package. “3 foot 5” ultimately proves Palmer has the heart to craft music that feels both deeply personal and universally comforting.