Low Forms

Low Forms self-titled 7” is a six minute blast of power-pop defined by clean guitars, rhythmic chops, and traditional format rock ’n’ roll. While it’s not reinventing anything, it’s a solid homage to a timeless style with a nice build-up from opening verse to close, milking the verse-chorus-verse structure to increase urgency as the song progresses without succumbing to dumbed down, boring repetition. It’s a hard task to pull off and the band does it well. The riffs stick in mind more than the lyrics of “Cherry Tigers,” but the overall substance definitely has some sticking power.

On side B the band introduces a changeup with group vocals that pile on a higher sense of harmony before shifting into the smooth sensations of “Pendulum Swing,” an apt title for the song which, whenever it starts to feel familiar, delivers a swing of new hooks. It’s poppy at heart, but too honest and loud for that term to really apply. It’s definitely more anthemic than the a-side. Overall, this is an intriguing debut that will put an extra bounce in your step.

7.2 / 10 — Loren