Apocalypse Youth, this EP from San Diego band Lanterns is best described with one word: rich.
It's a pop album that is rich in sound and rich in harmonies. The five songs here are surprisingly noisy for a band playing such a delicate kind of music, booming from every corner with loud drums and feedback. The guitar slings echo deeply and it nearly gives Lanterns that My Morning Jacket-style reverb, which only adds to the atmosphere.
The noisy sound is partnered with beautiful melodies, sounding both sparkly and melancholy at once. This contrast is summed up quite well in the cover- waves washing in on the shore during a seemingly chilly evening with the sun setting in the background.
Opening song "Midnight Psalms (Alright!)" is an almost perfect pop song because its bouncy tempo and hooks instantly grab you and lodge themselves in your memory. "End-times Blues" continues in a slower, pondering fashion while "Creation Myth" is, like the first tune, upbeat and with an infectious guitar sling throughout.
"Electric Warrior Kisses" is the one that's slightly out of place and not up to par with the rest of the songs due to its slightly directionless nature - it sounds like it's building up towards something, but finishes too abruptly. This is just a minor criticism though and on the evidence of Apocalypse Youth greater things can still be expected from Lanterns.
