By Juliet Kozlow

There are certain bands who make songs that could be the soundtrack to a movie without too many adjustments because they’re just that good. The Hush Sound easily could’ve been behind a musical rom-com and today, Set It Off could score a superhero flick with the perfect amount of intensity. The Nashville based Neulore can join those names with their release Animal Evolve, an album that is whimsical enough to meld with, say, a modern retelling of a fairytale but developed enough to expose all the inner themes and meanings of what’s between the story’s lines. Which, interestingly enough, fits with the way that the musicians behind the music create: according to their website, they try to bring together sound to back the visuals they imagine.

The opening track, “3”, is a great example of the dramatic crescendos that are present throughout the album. There’s an indie undertone that mashes up seamlessly with a Walk The Moon dance vibe that carries the song and creates an infectious beat that keeps the listener engaged. “Shadow of a Man” keeps the upbeat trend, singing of trying to let go and go back to a time when everything was bright and shining.

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

“In The Orchard” slows down to an emotional ballad, giving listeners an example of vocalist Adam Agin’s incredible voice. It leads into “(Hibernation)”, a minute and a half long coda to the previous song that creates a moment of reflection. The folksy “Mercy! You Need Saving” is the song that would play while the budding love of the two main characters turns into a raging fire as they go on a romantic road trip together, sleeping under the stars and snuggling around bonfires.  “Don’t Shy From the Light” blends into “Bloodstained Sonnet” as if they were cut from the same soft cloth that reminds the listener of the way their home feels like home. “Feathers” is similar to “(Hibernation)” with its short, yet impactful, length.

“The Gathering Chant” starts backed with an acoustic and once again, reminding everyone how Agin’s voice sounds like a musician that should be a household name by now with how smooth and familiar it feels. Multi-instrumentalist William Cook helps build up layers of sound that are positively haunting throughout both “The Gathering Chant” and the following “Native Skin.” “Tribes” is the perfect closer to the album, with simple and beautiful piano opening and muted French horns at the end giving a grandiose edge to the track.

Overall, the duo behind Animal Evolve are smart: they know how to manipulate sound and convey emotions lyrically and by the loudness (or lack thereof) through the album. Although folk inspired music is generally associated with Mumford and Sons and may be glossed over, Neulore proves that there are hidden gems in a genre that has been so strongly and at times negatively associated with hipster culture. Neulore are not a band to sleep on by any length.

Neulore is on Facebook | Buy the record here