While The Raveonettes’ Lust Lust Lust reaches straight into our laps, Beach House’s Devotion tugs on the heartstrings instead, and with the smallest of efforts grips them tighter than any record in recent memory.

Duo Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally claim their territory somewhere between Nico’s euro-pop sophistication and Grizzly Bear’s early lo-fi bedroom love songs. With just their second album (their self-titled debut, despite its gorgeous peaks, still felt in parts like an almost-finished demo), Beach House leap to the head of the class of 2008. This year’s locked-indoors-on-a-rainy-day record has arrived.

“This is the right time for a holiday,” Legrand sings on “You Came to Me,” adding, “If not now, not ever,” and the effect is devastatingly beautiful. It’s hard to choose between the verse and chorus of “Gila” as the song’s biggest strength, given that both are so completely indelible and tied together so brilliantly. The finger snaps and tambourine hits of closer “Home Again” take everything off into the sunset, while “Some Things Last a Long Time” makes one hope Beach House is one of them.

When it comes to Beach House’s perfectly considered arrangements, it’s clear Legrand has taken a few lessons from her uncle, French composer Michel Legrand, updating his gentle touch to include indie balladry. There’s never too little or too much — from top to bottom, Devotion is just right.