They make up for their modest technical gifts with a soft, breathy, sensual sound and persona.

NPR: Diana Krall: 'From This Moment On'

Emulating her father's breathy voice and double-entendre-laden subject matter, Gainsbourg crafts a mature exploration of ethereal pop and new wave.

NPR: Lamenting a Love That Gets Under the Skin

With a breathy, calm and happy demeanor, Hecht is addictive to watch.

WSJ: Review: 'The Assembled Parties' a terrific drama

Melted over the top of it all are Koushik's breathy vocals.

NPR: Koushik Bends Genres To His Will

His voice is breathy, wistful and piping, yet plaintive and emotive.

WSJ: Youth in Revolt, White Ribbon, Daybreakers | Film Reviews by Joe Morgenstern

The orchestra included a ney, an end-blown Persian flute, whose breathy timbre in its low register gave an unearthly poignancy to the music of Mr. Parvin and the Bricklayer.

WSJ: The Bricklayer | Houston Grand Opera | A Glimpse Behind the Wall | Opera Review by Heidi Waleson

Despite the excitement that this Saturday holds, much like Groundhog Day college football fans will suffer yet again this year myriad breathy articles from emotional sportswriters about how a playoff must be implemented.

FORBES: LSU Vs. Alabama Exposes The Absurdity Of A College Football Playoff

Much like the language, the arrangement is a model of sublime economy, built around Veirs' slender guitar part and gentle rhythmic accents. (With her sweet, breathy delivery, the Oregon-based Veirs sounds at times like an older, romantically thwarted Taylor Swift.) But as the song continues, the production gradually builds, as if matching her own escalating ache.

NPR: Laura Veirs: Thoughts Of Summertime