To say that I was underestimating Paper Route’s Real Emotion would be an understatement. The band seemed to love teasing us, gradually rolling out singles leading up to the actual announcement of Real Emotion (get a load of that album art, dude.).

Real Emotion completes the band’s journey through the primary color schemes (Absence – red, The Peace of Wild Things – yellow, Real Emotion – blue) with a release that is arguably the band’s most poignant release yet. Some, including myself, were confused with the somewhat reserved lead single “Laugh About It” came out – it has a nice hook for sure, but doesn’t have the punch or “emotional journey” vibe that many songs in the Paper Route catalog contain.

If you have any doubt (and have somehow missed the release of the bombastic “Chariots”) all you have to do is hear the intro which wastes no time kicking the record off in the stratosphere. “Writing in the Wall” and “Pretend” soar similarly and are good tracks to precede the thundering aforementioned “Chariots,” which is a little more apprehensive in sound.

Fans of the ballads and love songs of the band will be pleased with songs like the subtle, building “Untitled” and “Vanisher,” which fits in with it’s album closer peers “Calm My Soul” from The Peace of Wild Things and “Dance on Our Graves” from Absence.

Two highlights of the record occur toward the back half, and have been pleasing fans in live settings for quite some time. “Zhivago” is spirited and at times Coldplay-esque. There’s a synth-hook happening near the end of the tune that is one of my favorite moments of the record. My enjoyment of this song is matched by “Balconies,” a tune I’ve been eagerly awaiting since hearing it live for the first time at a Mutemath show in the spring. The poignant song kicks off with a ghostly piano melody which is soon overlaid with a loud synth version that I’ve been told is fit for a Stranger Things soundtrack. It also has great lyrics – the chorus goes,

It’s the simple things that I can’t get right
It’s the hunting heart trying to survive
And for every wound there’s a hill to climb
Can we reach that high, reach that high

The song beautifully illustrates how grace looks day in and day out to those who seek it.

Before I wrap up this review, I need to drop in an M83 shout-out. I was wondering where what the emotional yet floating vibe I got from the record reminded me of, and the comparison hit me in one of those “well, DUH!” moments. This songs could easily be on a playlist with any of M83’s songs from Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, or the song “Oblivion.” M83 fans that were a bit perplexed at the French artist’s cheesy 80s inspired direction this year, Real Emotion might be what you were looking for.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/268206500″ /]

Score: 4.2/5

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