new manners - ep

New Manners

EP
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

New Manners represents the new era of folk pop music. Their latest self-titled EP New Manners was developed in California and comes from a history of playing music together and touring and then ultimately recording this EP. Mastering was handled by Pete Lyman, who is responsible for big names like Bloc Party, Best Coast and St. Vincent. Yet while listening to New Manners, I get memories from bands like Grizzly Bear, Band of Horses and The Antlers.

The track entitled “Taillight” has an upbeat yet subtle vibe to it that lets you relax yet at the same time not fall to the wayside of laziness or an idle mind. There is a steady upbeat rhythm, and the vocals are catchy and repetitive; then towards the end there is an upwelling of guitar strumming that really awakens the soul inside.

“Take What’s Yours” is about a breakup; “I don’t think I could love you anymore, take yours and I’ll take mine.” The song has an epic tinge to it and kind of emulates a positive overcoming of a bad relationship. It illustrates the scenario from the side that doesn’t necessarily get hurt, which is why I imagine it is so upbeat. The next song seems to also be about love, one that isn’t sweet but perhaps is growing sour. The lyrics “your clothes are getting smaller, your eyes are wandering...your heart is growing fonder… there was trouble from the start,” shows a negative trend in this hypothetical relationship.

Production of this band’s first EP is quite commendable, as it is of high quality and there is barely any evidence of smudging or meddling of the instruments or vocals. The band is a perfect emulation of a successful indie-folk band because there is a gentle yet edgy disposition to the vocalist and this creates a certain feeling for most of the songs. Behind that, there is passion in the guitars and drums that together make up a collection of pleasant indie tracks.

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