It probably says something about me needing to expand my listening horizons or more likely about how far and how effortlessly musical influence spreads in the modern age, but there is something quintessentially British about the sound that San Diego‘s Poems makes.
Had you told me that they were recent tour support to the likes of Editors or The National, I wouldn’t have doubted you for a moment. Not that it matters, just interesting, I guess.
What is even more interesting, nay, exciting, are the four tracks found here, glorious slices of alternative rock that meet finely crafted indie. Opener “Placebo” grows out of understatement, adding sonic veneers as it goes, wrapping itself in intricate textures and shimmering, fuzzy tones. Meanwhile, “Afterpart” takes something of The Cure‘s pop-era urgency, slowly ramps it up, and uses it to deliver dreamy sonics.
“NFS (Naked for Science)” is a hazily harmonious blend of muscle and melody, jangle and sophistication, and “Nurse” rounds things off with a modern take on chamber-pop – balladic, soaring, and quite brilliant.
In just four songs, Poems not only explores the struggles of anxiety, identity, and even prescription drugs in young adulthood, but also delivers an EP that is poised to land with an impactful and satisfying ping on any and every discerning music fan’s radar.
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