Neil Halstead, a founding member of Slowdive and the singer/main songwriter of Mojave 3, is releasing his sophomore solo record oh, mighty engine at the end of July on Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records (the solo debut was on 4AD). Pairing with Johnson may seem strange, but when you take a closer listen to Halstead’s gentle melodies and often naturalist lyrics, the overlap goes beyond both guys liking to surfing. For instance, “Paint A Face” from the forthcoming collection is akin to Kings of Convenience + Iron & Wine + Cornwall, England + a warm, slightly melancholic breeze.

• Neil Halsted – “Paint A Face”Download

According to accompanying press materials, Halstead’s jokingly termed this post-shoegaze sound “Nylon Rock,” i.e. he’s traded the pedals for a nylon-stringed guitar. Listen at his MySpace. It can often get a bit more psychedelic — and not in a hippie sense — than he’s letting on.

oh, mighty engine is out 7/29 on Brushfire. Neil’s opening for JJ for a few shows in August and has headlining dates on the West Coast thereafter (dates TBA). For now, here are the supporting shows, sometimes with Brushfire mates Rogue Wave.

06/29 – Reading, England @ Oakford Social
07/01 – London, England @ Village Underground in Shoreditch
07/05 – Newquay, England @ Watergate Bay %
07/06 – Newquay, England @ Watergate Bay %
07/20 – Oxford, England @ Truck Festival
08/03 – Oro, Ontario @ Burl’s Creek Park %#
08/04 – Montreal, Quebec @ Osheaga Music and Arts Festival %
08/06 – Mansfield, PA @ Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts %#
08/07 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center %#
08/10 – Jersey City, NJ @ Liberty State Park (All Points West Festival) %#
08/12 – Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheatre %#
08/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre %#
08/15 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Sandstone Amphitheater %#
08/17 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre %#
08/18 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheater %#

% w/ Jack Johnson
# w/ Rogue Wave