And here come the harmonies: Small Ponds' music is defined as much by the absorbingly minimalist instrumentation as it is by the well-schooled duets of Caitlin Cary and Matt Douglas. But where Small Ponds reaches in, Birds and Arrows reaches out. The Chapel Hill folk-pop trio is built around songwriting team and couple Pete and Andrea Connolly, and their harmonies strike a more conversational balance. Fan Modine applies Eno-inspired synth textures to sparkling pop that moves with the spirit of kids playing tag. The band shares a carefree, often celebratory attitude with Birds and Arrows, even when Small Ponds are musing introspectively. —Corbie Hill