CMJ » Gianna Stefanelli

Track Premiere: Abandoned Pools’ “Behemoth”

Gianna Stefanelli — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:15:42 +0000

Photo by Corinne Buchanan

With the release of long-awaited Sublime Currency just around the corner, Abandoned Pools are premiering their track “Behemoth” today with CMJ. “Behemoth” is a sweet and soft pop track with plenty of pretty piano and will appear on Abandoned Pools new LP, out August 28 via Tooth And Nail. The tune is distinctly happier than some on the band’s 2005 release, Armed To The Teeth. Here’s what Tommy Walter, the mastermind behind Abandoned Pools and former member of the Eels, had to say about the track, streaming below.

Was there a specific inspiration for the lyrics to “Behemoth” or a person the lyrics are directed toward?
Driving around L.A., there are lot of giant, unnecessarily over-sized, behemoth trucks. To me, to drive one is an act of aggression. “Behemoth” was inspired by that. I wonder if the drivers of those vehicles are afraid of getting killed, so they drive tanks—like they’re in a war zone, and they may not be concerned with how it affects others or whether they end up killing someone. Living with that lack of civility on a daily basis takes its toll.

How would you say this song fits in the context of the rest of the album?
It’s still a pop song at heart and shares the same melodic elements that are present on the rest of the album, but there’s something about the tone of the song that sets it apart. Though the subject matter is a little daunting, there’s a feeling of overcoming, and it’s a positive song ultimately. That’s a common thread throughout the entire album.

In what ways has your work as a producer for other artists informed the way you write and record your own material?
It’s helped to develop my instincts. I don’t have to think as hard; things just come to me easier. I have a process now, and ideas just flow better. Working with other artists, you have to deliver in a timely manner. I’ve gotten used to that pressure, and it’s something I enjoy, so it becomes automatic.

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Watch: Aesop Rock’s Video For “Cycle To Gehenna”

Gianna Stefanelli — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:30:10 +0000

Ballet has never looked so hardcore. Punk-rock ballerinas steal the show in Aesop Rock’s new music video for “Cycles To Gehenna” off of his latest album, Skelethon. Directed by Ben and Pete Lee, the video features fierce dancers who accessorize their tutus with ripped black tights and war paint and roll with macho masked motorcyclists. Watch these bad-asses dominate the dance floor below.

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Cate Le Bon – CYRK II

Gianna Stefanelli — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:53:22 +0000

Consisting of the five recorded tracks that didn’t make it on to Cate Le Bon’s second critically acclaimed album, CYRK, the folk songstress’s new EP, CYRK II, is like the island of misfit songs. CYRK II moves at its own slower pace. A sound that is totally stripped down, there’s less clatter, pop and fuzz than what was heard on the original 10-track offering. While the EP basks in its simplicity, the Welsh artist’s luring voice and heavier lyrics give it a much-needed heaviness. Wistful and tender in nature but sharp and raw in content, it’s a bundle of contradictions and jagged lullabies.

Dreamy opening track “What Is Worse” bobs in and out of beautiful highs and impressive lows. With easy guitar and dynamic vocals, there is a richness in the song’s sound that makes you feel the very opposite of Le Bon’s lyrics about “feeling the cold.” “What Is Worse” flows into “The Eiggy Sea,” a quirky melodic gem that lets Le Bon flaunt her range in a very nonchalant way. The psych-rock song is at its best three-quarters through as her voice floats higher and higher until it all comes crashing down with an intense guitar solo.

When things start to pick up, lackadaisical “That Moon” makes sure to bring the mood down a notch or two. However, in Le Bon’s case, this is a great thing. As she croons, “Will we ever see that moon again?”, listening to music has never been so easy. With the accentuating piano and pretty ascending woo-oos, the song just soothes. “Seaside, Lowtide” is the most melancholy tune on the album. It begins with Le Bon’s whisper “Goodnight, goodbye” as she tells a story about her man leaving her and the tears that came after. With its bluesy rhythm and shredding guitar, the track tumbles with emotion.

Amongst the bits of fuzz and a lot of intense psychedelic guitar noodling, Le Bon keeps pulling at your heartstrings as a quiet “January” brings CYRK II to a delicate and drawn-out close. A serious song that requires tons of gusto (and breath support) to pull off, Le Bon loses her whimsical tone and finally steps out as a powerful vocalist.

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MNDR – Feed Me Diamonds

Gianna Stefanelli — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:29:30 +0000

Two years after MNDR’s debut EP, E.P.E., and her attention-grabbing guest appearance on Mark Ronson’s club hit “Bang Bang Bang,” she has released her first full-length studio album, titled Feed Me Diamonds, with an aim to “challenge money, wealth, power and the class system.” That description is way too serious for this album, which really just offers some liberating and riotous dance-pop fun. Produced by Peter Wade, who created all of the beats on the record from scratch, the LP comes from a place of appreciation for minimalistic techno and early house. Simple and hook-riddled, each track gives club-friendly musician Amanda Warner the chance to flaunt her vocal prowess over smooth and electrifying synths.

Feed Me Diamonds begins with an irresistibly catchy dance gem with an attached history lesson. The lyrics to the chorus are kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst’s words after she was arrested for robbing a bank where someone was murdered: “Tell them I am smiling and send my greetings.” And that’s what Warner wails under chilling layers of synth and plenty of background woahs and ohs.

While it is nice to see MNDR’s vulnerable side on slower tracks like “Stay” and “Blue Jean Youth,” she is at her best with tracks that keep you moving like “Faster Horses,” “Fall In Love With The Enemy” and “U.B.C.L.” With its sleek vocals and commanding beats, “Faster Horses” explodes with energy and pulsating synths. “Fall In Love With The Enemy” begins with as much gusto as a full marching band. Its repeated lyrics and bubbly rhythm make it a true pump-up dance romp that leads perfectly into “U.B.C.L.” While major focus goes toward those loud and proud low tones, they bring a much-needed balance to Warner’s quirky and unhinged vocals.

MNDR’s album title was inspired by the claim performance artist Marina Abramović made about her father’s “murder,” which is that he was killed by “being fed finely ground diamonds.” That darkness is reflected in the title track, which haunts with industrial beats. Rough but raw, Warner cries, “What’s the good in being good/So, go ahead/Feed me diamonds.” Very masochistic of her; it’s definitely not a party song. MNDR ends the album with “I Go Away,” an emotional track that was first released on E.P.E. With its melting synths, echoing drumbeat and empowering lyrics, it’s a damn good breakup anthem. She evens sings so: “This is my anthem/I know it like I know everything.” If there is anything MNDR knows its definitely what makes a great electro-pop album.

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Lorelei – Enterprising Sidewalks

Gianna Stefanelli — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:51:04 +0000

With a smack of distorted guitar noise here and a slap of echo-heavy vocals there, Lorelei makes a successful post-rock comeback with its new album, Enterprising Sidewalks. This is the band’s first release in about 18 years, but it seems that the Slumberland veterans have no trouble picking up from where they left off on 1994′s Everyone Must Touch The Stove. While never abandoning that ’90s slacker aesthetic, the Washington, DC, threesome remain unpredictable, twisted and complex.

Recorded with friends Archie Moore (Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine), Ben Bailes (Chessie) and mixed by Guy Fixsen (My Bloody Valentine, Moose, Laika), Enterprising Sidewalks is a multi-layered listen. The album opens with a two-second drum intro in the album’s first single, “Hammer Meets Tongs.” The song quickly leads to some hard-hitting guitars and detached vocals, with Matt Dingee singing, “This is the special public life/Of an enterprising sidewalk.” Full of interchanging melodic patterns and unexpected twists, the song is at its best when they ditch the dry vocals and allow the dreamy and distorted instrumentals to build into a satisfying conclusion.

Lorelei keeps pummeling through with “Majority Stakes.” As soon as Davis White hits that first drum, there is no turning back. A serious song with real movement, its killer bassline and relentless drums make it hard for you to catch a breath. Showing some real emotion this time around, Dingee lets all his anger out as his looming cries warn, “This is the end/And it’s only just begun.” Spiraling into pure fuzz, there is no resolution for “Majority Stakes.”

“Let Go of Our Ego” begins with bobbing bass and a weaving guitar line, but when you think it’s coming to a natural end, it doesn’t. Lorelei shines during the song’s climax with its wailing and dissonant guitar riffs. Through the psychedelic sounds and swirling guitar, a spooky “Outside Through The Keyhole” features the band’s versatility and authenticity. Another standout, “Sorry For The Patience” shows Lorelei at its most mainstream. Less about middle-class woes and more about personal problems, it’s shorter, lighter and undeniably the most fun.

The album comes to a quiet close with “Measured In Fingers.” The first 12 seconds are pure silence, and after such a tenacious and earsplitting album, that’s something to appreciate. However, just because it’s the closest thing on Enterprising Sidewalks to a power ballad doesn’t mean “Measured In Fingers” loses Lorelei’s signature sounds. Besides, what would Lorelei be without that drone?

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Wild Nothing Unveils New Single “Paradise”

Gianna Stefanelli — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:35:42 +0000

Photo by Shawn Brackbill

After premiering opening track “Shadow” in June, Wild Nothing decided to share another taste of its upcoming sophomore album, Nocturne, due out August 28 on Captured Tracks. Today, the band offers a free download of the new single “Paradise” on its very own special lunar tracking website dedicated to the release of Nocturne.

“Why?” you ask. Well, according to the press release, frontman Jack Tatum believes the lunar phases speak to the months he spent writing the 11-track offering. He explained, “There was a great deal of restlessness that went into the creation of this album. The moon cycle has come to represent this for me; a slowly changing symbol of where these songs feel most at home, a sleepless state of mind.”

Look into it yourself and download the exclusive track here.

Tracklist For Nocturne:
01. Shadow
02. Midnight Song
03. Nocturne
04. Through The Grass
05. Only Heather
06. This Chain Won’t Break
07. Disappear Always
08. Paradise
09. Counting Days
10. The Blue Dress
11. Rheya

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Moon Duo Release “Sleepwalker” And Tour Dates

Gianna Stefanelli — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:40:46 +0000

San Francisco-based Wooden Shjips’ side project Moon Duo have announced an October 2 release date for their sophomore LP Circles via Sacred Bones. The album follows 2010′s debut full-length Mazes and according to a press release the record draws inspiration from the work of writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. Along with the release date, the psychedelic pop twosome have also shared Circles’ dreamy, fuzz-rock opener, “Sleepwalker,” which you can listen to below.

Moon Duo – Sleepwalker by sacredbones

To support the 9-track offering, Moon Duo will be touring the US and Europe this fall and winter. The extensive tour kicks off in Lawrence, Kansas and finishes up in Vancouver in early December. Check out the tour dates along with Circle’s tracklist below.

Tracklist for Circles:
01. Sleepwalker
02. I Can See
03. Circles
04. I Been Gone
05. Sparks
06. Dance Pt. 3
07. Free Action
08. Trails
09. Rolling Out

Tour Dates for Moon Duo:
09/26 – Lawrence, KS – Replay Lounge
09/27 – St. Louis, MO – Firebird
09/28 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
09/29 – Detroit, MI – Lager House
10/02 – Toronto, ON – Silver Dollar
10/03 – Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo
10/04 – Boston, MA – O’Brien’s
10/05 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory
10/06 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
10/08 – Washington DC – DC9
10/09 – Raleigh, NC – King’s Barcade
10/10 – Atlanta, GA – 529
10/11 – New Orleans, LA – TBC
10/12 – Houston, TX – Rudyard’s
10/14 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10/20 – Groningen, NL – Vera
10/21 – Utrecht, NL – Ekko/Sunday Noise
10/22 – Haarlem, NL – Patronaat
10/23 – Antwerp, BE – Trix
10/25 – Paris, FR – Point Ephemere
10/26 – Reims FR – La Cartonnerie
10/27 – Vendome, FR – Les Rockomotives
10/29 – Montpelier, FR – Le Rockstore
10/30 – Lyon, FR – Sonic
10/31 – Milan, IT – Leon Cavallo
11/01 – Rome, IT – Angelo Mai
11/02 – Bologna, IT – Covo
11/03 – Vienna, AT – Rhiz
11/05 – Lausanne, CH – Le Bourg
11/07 – Kortrijk, BE – De Kreun
11/08 – Hamburg, DE – Kampnagel
11/09 – Leipzig, DE – Skala
11/10 – Berlin, DE – H.A.U.
11/12 – Glasgow, UK – Captain’s Rest
11/13 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
11/14 – London, UK – Corsica Studios
11/16 – Bristol, UK – The Croft
11/30 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah
12/01 – Los Angeles, CA – The Down + Out
12/04 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
12/07 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore

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Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe Returns Home, Releases Statement

Gianna Stefanelli — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:41:17 +0000

After being detained for more than a month in a Czech prison, Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe has finally returned home to Richmond, Virginia. Upon his homecoming, he released a lengthy personal statement, in which he thanks fans, discloses his personal experience in jail, and makes a pledge to honor the death of Daniel N., the fan who lost his life after an onstage incident that occurred in 2010 at one of the band’s shows. While expressing his sympathy for his fan’s family, he still declares a fight to clear his name.

Here’s his full statement:

Greetings. This is D. Randall Blythe, checking in from my beloved hometown of Richmond, VA, United States of America. I was recently released on bail from Pankrác Prison in Prague, Czech Republic, after over a month of incarceration. Now that I am out for the moment, I would like to say a few things.

1. While in prison, I had minimal knowledge of how my case was viewed anywhere but the Czech Republic. I was told by my attorney that I had a lot support from peers in the music industry, my hometown, fans, and of course my family. I cannot express how emotional it made me upon my release to read about even a fraction of the voices that were raised on my behalf. From legends in my music community, to fans across the world, and even people who were previously unaware of my existence but sympathized with my plight- I am truly humbled. I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers. I would especially like to thank the people of Richmond, VA, for standing by me. In the 48 hours I have been home, many people I have never met before have stopped me on the street, waved and smiled as I passed by, or said hello in a restaurant. All have said “We are glad you are home, Randy”. You all make me proud and grateful that I call Richmond home.

2. I would like state that I suffered no abuse, from either authorities or inmates, during my incarceration in Pankrác. I received no special treatment, and was in general population with everyone else- make no mistake, it was prison, not some celebrity rehab tv show. But I was treated fairly by the guards and kindly by my fellow inmates. People are dying of starvation all over the world. Men and women are losing their lives daily in the Middle East and other war torn regions. I had food, clothes, shelter, and no one was trying to kill me. I cannot complain over a short stay in prison while many people elsewhere fight to survive on a daily basis.

3. If it is deemed necessary for me to do so, I WILL return to Prague to stand trial. While I maintain my innocence 100%, and will do so steadfastly, I will NOT hide in the United States, safe from extradition and possible prosecution. As I write this, the family of a fan of my band suffers through the indescribably tragic loss of their child. They have to deal with constantly varying media reports about the circumstances surrounding his death. I am charged with maliciously causing severe bodily harm to this young man, resulting in his death. While I consider the charge leveled against me ludicrous and without qualification, my opinion makes no difference in this matter. The charge exists, and for the family of this young man, questions remain. The worst possible pain remains. It is fairly common knowledge amongst fans of my band that I once lost a child as well. I, unfortunately, am intimately familiar with what their pain is like. Therefore, I know all too well that in their time of grief, this family needs and deserves some real answers, not a media explosion followed by the accused killer of their son hiding like a coward thousands of miles away while they suffer. I am a man. I was raised to face my problems head on, not run from them like a petulant child. I hope that justice is done, and the family of Daniel N. will receive the closure they undoubtably need to facilitate healing. I feel VERY STRONGLY that as an adult, it would be both irresponsible and immoral for me not to return to Prague if I am summoned. This is not about bail money. This is about a young man who lost his life. I will act with honor, and I will fight to clear my good name in this matter. Thank you for reading this, and I wish you all peace.

You can find out more about the case and read the band’s official statement here. Watch the video for Lamb Of God’s “Ghost Walking” off the group’s 2012 album Resolution, below.

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Mirel Wagner Sinks Into The Abyss In New Video

Gianna Stefanelli — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:33:51 +0000

Ethiopian singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner embraces the dark in the new music video for “To The Bone,” a song off of her self-titled debut album, out now via Friendly Fire. Directed by Aki Roukala, the video shows Wagner helplessly bobbing in and out of black waters.

In way over her head, Wagner and her dead eyes eventually just fade away into the murky abyss. Check out the intimate, spooky and downright raw video above, and find her tour dates below.

Tour Dates For Mirel Wagner:
09/06 – Ottawa, ONT – Ottawa Folk Festival
09/08 – Raleigh, NC – Hopscotch Festival
09/16 – New York, NY – Joe’s Public Theatre
09/17 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg *
09/18 – Boston, MA – The Middle East *
09/19 – Montreal, QC – Pop Montreal *
09/22 – Chicago, IL – Schuba’s Tavern *
09/23 – Minneapolis, MN – The Brick *
*with Deerhoof

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LOL Boys Unveil New Music Video For “Changes”

Gianna Stefanelli — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:07:19 +0000

LOL Boys, aka Jerome Potter and Markus Garcia, have released a music video for “Changes,” the title track from their recent EP, out now on Friends Of Friends. A video that reflects the boys’ tech-heavy lifestyles, this self-directed video is full of quirky and awkward lip-synching comments with cameos by Kitty Pryde, Salva and Samo Sound Boy, all jamming out to “Changes” on the Mac application Photobooth. Check out the video above and LOL Boys’ upcoming tour dates below.

Tour Dates For LOL Boys:
07/31 – Lawrence, KS – The Granada Theatre
08/01 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
08/02 – New York, NY – Drom
08/02 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
08/03-05 – Palm Springs, CA – Friends Of Friends Weekend, Ace Hotel
08/24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echoplex
09/29 – San Diego, CA – Kava Lounge

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Animal Collective Premieres “Today’s Supernatural”

Gianna Stefanelli — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:32:09 +0000

After a long three years, Animal Collective gave listeners a taste of its upcoming album, Centipede Hz, on the just-launched Animal Collective Radio, a weekly online show in partnership with Domino and the Creators Project, last night. Hosted by Panda Bear, the show included his own mixes, DJ sets by Black Dice, Sublime Frequencies and Haunted Graffiti, and the premiere of “Today’s Supernatural,” the first single off of Animal Collective’s new studio album, due out September 4 on Domino.

A little rougher around the edges than anything on 2009′s Merriweather Post Pavilion, “Today’s Supernatural” is a high-octane romp guided by Avey Tare’s angst-y half-screaming vocals. Through all the sonic chatter, its dance-y percussion and explosions of eclectic sound effects, it’s a song that you’ll want to listen to a few times. Give it a try below.

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KCRW Launches Malcolm, A Digital Music Submission System

Gianna Stefanelli — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:30:04 +0000

KCRW (89.9 FM and KCRW.com) is giving the musical underdogs out there a chance to get some airplay with its new digital music submission system called Malcolm. Prided on helping musicians like Beck, Fitz And The Tantrums and Quadron get their start, KCRW is hoping to encourage independent artists in submitting their work to the Los-Angeles-based radio station.

To use Malcolm, artists must create their own profiles that can include pictures, links to other social media sites and a bio. They are allowed to submit up to three of their best tracks and will then be notified through email when a comment or rating is added to their profile. Get started here.

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Caribou’s Dan Snaith Releases New Album As Daphni

Gianna Stefanelli — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:34:04 +0000

Inspiration struck Dan Snaith while he was opening for Radiohead’s 2012 world tour as Caribou. Under the spell of the dance music he heard while visiting the clubs in each tour city, Snaith has made his own full-length dance record titled Jialong (pronounced JOW-long). But he won’t be putting it out under his real name or as Caribou. This release comes from Daphni.

The first proper Daphni track, “Ye Ye,” is included on the nine-song album that will be released October 9 in the U.S. on Merge. A plundering but seductive tune, its video, which you can check out above, is a kaleidoscope of fitting colors and patterns. Find Jialong’s full tracklist below.

Tracklist For Jialong:
01. Yes, I Know
02. Cos-Ber-Zam – Ne Noya (Daphni Mix)
03. Ye Ye
04. Light
05. Pairs
06. Ahora
07. Jiao
08. Springs
09. Long

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Black Keys, Death Cab For Cutie, Girl Talk @ Firefly Fest

Gianna Stefanelli — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:31:06 +0000

Amongst the rainbow woods and the hot air balloons at the first Firefly Festival in Dover, Delaware this Sunday there were countless killer acts that I hope the huge crowds who attended saw that day. Here are the highlights:

Fitz And The Tantrums — The guitar-less group I was least excited to see turned out to be the most intriguing. True performers, Fitz and the Tantrums gave 100% in delivering their funk and soul pop sound. The six-piece Los Angeles band never stopped dancing, crooning, or begging the audience to participate; it turns out you don’t have to know their music to really enjoy it. If you didn’t know the words, they taught them to you. With the style and cool of Motown classics but the sleekness of modern pop, hits like “L.O.V,” “MoneyGrabber,” and “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” got even the sleepiest audience members dancing. While James King seduced with his saxophone riffs, the obvious sexual tension built between lead Michael Fitzpatrick and singer and percussionist Noelle Scaggs. Getting into each others’ faces and dancing too close for comfort in that 90 degree heat, lets just say the two get really into their music. Playing a groovy cover of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” they somehow managed to make the iconic song their own.

Death Cab For Cutie — We know exactly which drug Ben Gibbard was using to get through Death Cab for Cutie’s set. The extremely sick lead singer explained, “My drug of choice today is Dayquil. You guys are going to have to help me hit the high notes.” Even under the weather, the guy needed no help. Opening with the 8-minute version of “I Will Possess Your Heart,” that alluring and groovy bass vamp live made that eventual climax even more satisfying. Playing favorites like “Cath,” “Marching Bands Of Manhattan,” and “Soul Meets Body,” they were able to quickly win over the crowd. Much less mellow than many expected, Death Cab For Cutie brought a surprising amount of intensity to “We Looked Like Giants” where Gibbard dropped his guitar and joined Jason McGerr on an extra set of drums assembled during the song. Gibbard amused the crowd a bit when he went on a rant about possibly seeing “fish people” in the audience and a fan called back out, “Your bassist looks like Robin Williams!” I think they were both a bit confused.

Girl Talk — What do N.E.R.D, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Notorious B.I.G., Belinda Carlisle, Beck, and Jimmy Eat World all have in common? Girl Talk sampled all of them in his party popping set. While it was a little weird seeing the mash-up artist before the sun set, nothing was going to stop the thousands of people at his stage from dancing. Whether they were wearing horse masks, Native American garbs, or simply break dancing, there wasn’t a single still body in the crowd. While giving labels and musical genres the big F-You, Girl Talk, or Gregg Michael Gillis, still catered to his crowd. And this was much appreciated as a fan screamed out, “You are a fucking genius!”

The Black Keys — In a world where rock and roll seems to be slowly dying, the Black Keys restore hope in its future. The men of many little words focused solely on their music. With huge, Hendrix-style solos and intricate drumming, the Ohio rock duo make you want to sing along to their instruments instead of the lyrics. People everywhere were playing the air guitar and banging on their imaginary drums sets to their bluesy hits “Your Touch,” “Lonely Boy,” and “Howlin’ For You.” While drummer Patrick Carney sweated through “Gold on the Ceiling” and “Tighten Up,” guitarist Dan Auerbach summoned an unholy racket from his amps. They brought the festival to a beautiful close when they opened their encore with “Everlasting Light” and a gigantic disco ball dropped down, illuminating the Dover sky.

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Eternal Summers – Correct Behavior

Gianna Stefanelli — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:30:48 +0000

It’s a wonder what a little bass can do for Eternal Summers’ sophomore release, Correct Behavior. Thanks to the thief who stole Nicole Yun’s Parker Nitefly guitar, the Roanoke band, now a trio, plays with a more intricate, low-end, mature sound on its new album. The newly minted bassist Jonathan Woods builds on Eternal Summers’ two-instrument formula and makes up for what was missing on the lackluster debut Silver. While Yun and drummer Daniel Cundiff stick to their staple quirky highs, Woods brings a stirring balance with his rich and luscious lows.

The labeled dream-punk group wastes no time in introducing its exciting new sound. “Millions” is an alluring opening anthem, and its pounding percussion, flowery vocals and driving bassline make it one of the most accessible tracks on Correct Behavior. “Wonder,” the rougher second track, sums up teen angst in about two minutes. There’s even a lyrical nod to mom and dad: “Who can understand you/Putting your record on/Shut the back door.”

Starting off low and slow, a spontaneous and unexpected pickup sends “I Love You” to new highs. Behind the simplistic “I love you/You do too” lyrics, you’ll find brute force and conviction in the playing. Very Vampire Weekend-esque, “I Love You” hits you head on with ooh-wooh-wooh-woohs.

“It’s Easy” is a soft and melancholy comedown from the punk-pop dance party that comprises the first half of the record. The first power ballad on the album, “It’s Easy” is an example of why the Eternal Summers are marked under dream punk. Just to switch things up, Cundiff takes lead vocals on “Girls In The City.” With a looming and dark tone, he talks rather than sings over Yun’s polished guitar licks.

Correct Behavior ends with the lo-fi gem “Summerset.” Yun’s voice soars above all of the fizz and fuzz. When she sings without all of the quirky cracks and cute accents, she is unstoppable and quite mesmerizing. It’s a final song that you’ll want to put on repeat, a perfect ending to this fun summer album.

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