Born into the extremist Children of God cult before escaping to live on the streets at 16, Christopher Owens knows misery. But on Girls' debut, he's made peace with his past and crafted ace tunes to go with his tales of redemption. Owens sings about dancing and hanging with California girls on gorgeous songs that range from Buddy Holly-style rock to prom balladry to the strummy epic "Hellhole Ratrace." On "Lust for Life," he's "fucked in the head" but trying to "make a brand-new start." Judging by Album, he's on the right track.