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BY CHERYL CHENG

OCTOBER 23 | ECHO PARK—In the liner notes for the new Allo Darlin’ album, We Come From the Same Place, singer-songwriter Darren Hayman writes: “If you listen to this record and think ‘they could be my friends’ then you’re right, they really could be.” This perfectly describes the ready sincerity and open-heartedness that infuses the tracks of the well-received We Come From the Same Place, an album that can make you simultaneously smile and shed a tear. Each upbeat pop melody also hints at underlying melancholy, and it’s these relatable emotions that were on prominent display tonight.

While it can be difficult to toe the line between heartfelt but not overly precious, Allo Darlin’ achieves a perfect balance (see “If Loneliness Was Art”). The band members arrived on stage all smiles, and singer Elizabeth Morris, who makes me want to learn to play the ukulele, thanked the sparse crowd for showing up at The Echo early. (Doors at 5:30 p.m. is somewhat unheard of.)

Nevertheless, despite the early set time and less-than-crowded venue, the band members of Allo Darlin’ remained unfazed. When introducing new song “Crickets in the Rain,” Elizabeth explained that this song—as well as most of the album—is about how you look back at the past and things seem good, but you also look at today, and it is just as good. Or as bassist Bill Botting succinctly put it, “Live in the now! Like in Wayne’s World.” (“Party on!” a concertgoer responded.) It was a sentiment that described this evening: Allo Darlin’ was simply enjoying tonight’s show, nothing more and nothing less.

While focusing mostly on We Come From the Same Place, Allo Darlin’ also performed a few songs from their first two albums, including “Capricornia,” a track from 2012’s Europe, and “Let’s Go Swimming,” a track from the 2010 self-titled album. These were certainly a treat for longtime fans, some of whom had also been to the band’s show two years ago at The Echo.

Guitarist Paul Rains was definitely a highlight on such songs as “Kings and Queens,” performing an impressive guitar solo, and “Bright Eyes,” in which he duets with Elizabeth. His guitar work more than makes up for the lack of keyboards, which is often found in such similar bands as Camera Obscura or Belle and Sebastian. That said, the instrumental introduction of title track “We Come From the Same Place” definitely reminds me of the latter.

For the small crowd gathered here tonight, it felt like we were invited to a private concert with one of the most talented indie pop bands around. Three albums in, Allo Darlin’ consistently releases songs to remember and sing along to. “You can try and live in the moment,” Elizabeth sings on “History Lessons,” and I think that’s just what I will do.