AWmusic

Every once in awhile, I’ll hear an album full of songs so surprisingly fresh yet familiar, the whole thing will feel like deja vú. Good Night, States has managed to produce an EP of such caliber, crafting six tunes with simple, familiar melodies that nonetheless manage to catch me off guard. The songs seem straightforward enough, but when acoustic guitar riffs are complimented by synthesizer blips, this small change transforms the nature of the entire song. If you took Elliott Smith’s music and replaced the drums with electronic blips and drum machines, I imagine it would end up sounding something like Good Night, States.

The tempo of the EP varies, producing both bouncy, poppy tunes and slower, more thoughtful tracks. Regardless of the musical speed, the lyrical content of the album is rather dismal, featuring lines such as “hate will protect you” and “son, you’re growing closer to the end.” It seems ironic, then, that this album always leaves me smiling.

The first two tracks, ‘Arsonist’s Blues’ and ‘Good Times, So Wearily Desired!’, are two of the more musically upbeat on the EP. Both feature acoustic strumming heavily supported by the band’s drum machine and 30-year old synthesizers. the blips seems straight out of a Mario game, adding an unusual and catchy dimension to otherwise straightforward, acoustic pop songs.

The next two are of the opposite nature, leaning toward a slower, more brooding feel. ‘River In The Dry’ sounds like an Arcade Fire demo with organs layered over the guitar. ‘Moonlight’ is the most downbeat of the entire EP, with a synthesizer whining the chord progression as a guitar picks out the melody. Both songs cry out for something more, and the band’s selection of synthesizer sounds perfectly portrays this yearning.

The next track, ‘All On Your Own’ is the most immediately catchy of the EP. It’s also the poppiest, featuring a toe-tapping riff and backround ooh’s. Here, the band really shows their versatility, switching straight from a Ryan Adams-esque lament to a carefree, happy tune. The final track of the EP is also the longest. As fits the closing song of such an eclectic EP, it blazes a bit of a middle road between the poppy and the brooding aspects of the previous songs. The wavering vocals fit perfectly with the airy musical feel, and end the album perfectly, leaving you both satisfied and curious for more.

In short, I love this album. Good Night, States take something so familiar and add something so small that it becomes something entirely different. As vague and ambiguous as that sounds, it’s exactly what happens. Listen for yourself, and if you like it, please support the band and buy the album.

You can learn more about Good Night, States at their website or their myspace.

Good Night, States – Arsonist\'s Blues
Good Night, States – River In The Dry
Good Night, States – All On Your Own