“The Valley” is a meld of beautifully crafted lyrical prose floating gently on waves of intricate, catchy melodies. Each poetic, honest song offers a unique feel with new lyrical and melodic insight, yet from start to finish the album flows seamlessly through the rise of big productions like “You Won’t” and “Home” and the fall to the raw and revealing beauty of “Movie Love.”The title track of the album offers a nostalgic grasp for the familiarity of the valley in Wisconsin where Buetow was raised. Melodically light and sweet, the song visits his childhood home in the summer and longs to remain there. Along with this comfort, though, comes a hint of longing that is lyrically evident and tears slightly at the song’s light mood, perfectly capturing the oscillation between joy and pain that memories often hold. The lush summer painted with vibrant strokes in “The Valley,” is fleshed out further in its cousin tune and successor “The Stream.” A poetic pair written within days of each other from the same nostalgic