Miniature exploration of indie rock subgenres.

It‰’s hard to place Faces On Film into a subgenre within indie rock, but whatever it is that they do, they do it well. Frontman, Mike Fiore, combines different elements of the acoustic guitar, atmospheric buzz, cooing vocals, chiming synthesizers, and rhythmic bass harmonies creating a style similar to many other bands. “The Rule‰” captivates the listener by solely using a simple guitar and drum kit beat, and layering it with the synthesizer‰’s melody. This simplicity leads up to the opening twang of the electric guitar in “Your Old One.‰” Fiore is pining over someone from his past, and all of his pain and longing is so beautifully revealed as he sings, “Take me to the day, I wanna see the place where the memories started.‰” The acoustic guitar can also be heard backing up the electric guitar, and becomes more prevalent in “Bad Star,‰” which could very well be the best track in the bunch. It gives off a vibe similar to that of The Antlers or Grizzly Bear, and is just as personal, lyrically, as it‰’s precursors.

RIYL: Foals, The Antlers, Grizzly Bear
Recommended Tracks: 3, 4, 5, 8