Purity Ring – “Push Pull”: Purity Ring is back outta nowhere with the lush, yet less sparse than normal tune “Push Pull”. While Purity Ring became known for their eerie, mysteriously endearing tracks backed by one hook or beat, the duo opts for a fuller sound. This will alienate some people, no doubt. While Meg’s vocals sound great as ever, I can’t shake the feeling that they took a small step back from their trademark sound. But that is always a risk you take when you evolve your sound – especially after your first outing is so excellent. So, when the full release comes out, I will try to put “Shrines” out of my mind and enjoy the TBA named album for what it is.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiV0RN0mPSk[/youtube]

Fine Animal – “Old Dollar”: “Music for ice skating” is in the description on Fine Animal’s Facebook page. “Old Dollar” might be the most appropriate song for this they’ve written yet. A winteresque scene forms in my mind’s eye as I hear far away sounds of Kelan Gilbert’s singing. Manufactured beats contrast a key melody whose tonality sounds like it was plucked straight out of a Columbus Zoo Wildlights inspired scene. Another track by this band (spoiler alert) may make it into Ryan’s top 100 of the year, but this song is pretty great too.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/179852719″ /]

Samuel Powers – “Sad Shawn”: Melancholy yet catchy is the name of the game here. In spite of a sad theme, I find myself getting cheered up by this track. The production is on point, and I already notice significant growth from this 90s influenced era of the pop punk/emo genre. This is the sound you didn’t know you missed. The vocals complement each other well and they weave in and out seamlessly in spite of there being multiple people taking the lead at different points. Even Dan Haight, better known as the lead vocalist for the heavier Stillglow, fulfills his dual role as a singer and drummer well.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myZ_oyEKhKE[/youtube]

Everyone Leaves – “Hide House”: “Hide House” finds Everyone Leaves ditching some of the pop punk cliches and coming into their own. Before, they were good at imitating good elements across the pop punk spectrum. Now, they lean in a more emo, and at times spoken word direction. Though, there isn’t much speaking in this track. Everyone Leaves is maturing and it shows. Foreboding riffs create a cloudy mood reflective of the topic matter at hand in the beginning of the song, while a more assertive beat behind some nice guitar work shows the song’s protagonist attempting to navigate through his sorrows. Some nice vocals from bassist Aubree Roe make an appearance as well.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUirZp8eAHE[/youtube]

Busy Living – “Leaving”: No, this isn’t referring to the pop punk “Busy Leaving” band. This is referring to a band that masterminded this gem of a indie track. It was produced by Jim Eno of Spoon, so you know it’s gonna be good. Get that chorus out of your head, I dare you. Somewhat ironically, perhaps the last thing you think of when you lay your head on the pillow tonight will be “I’m not leaving you…” as you might be wanting that voice to leave your head so you can head some sleep! The sunny tune is good for the daylight hours, though ;).

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/179983073″  /]