Evolution is a recurring theme both literally and metaphorically on Bess Rogers’ Out of the Ocean. Taking inspiration from the Neil Shubin book Your Inner Fish, Rogers uses these songs to explore questions of instinct and free will in the context of human relationships. Tracks like “In the Waves” (a mermaid’s eerie song of seduction) and “Math & Science” (a look at love's biological imperatives) stand out lyrically for their expansive, mythic imagery, as well as their playful subject matter. “Anchor” and “Second Chance” display Rogers’ idiosyncratic way with romantic tunes, while “The Fittest” finds her in a bouncy (yet biting) Aimee Mann-ish mode. Producer Chris Kuffner helps Rogers stretch her sonic boundaries to include crunchy new wave–style rock (“Weak Link,” “I’ll Be Gone”), reflective acoustic folk (“Brick by Brick”), and even ukulele-driven pop with a flamenco accent (“Standing Tall”). Rogers’ vocals combine warmth with quiet strength, supported in spots by her sometime touring partner Ingrid Michaelson.