Runners in the Nerved World demonstrates that The Sidekicks are a vastly different outfit than the one that was previously categorized by their abrasive, soaring songs like “Grace” from 2012’s Awkward Breeds, or “Almost the Same” off of their debut full-length Weight of Air. 

Young Statues found itself at a crossroads: forge on with an alternative, pop-friendly sound birthed from the EP, or create another chapter building off of their experimental, indie debut. They chose the latter, and it is the unmistakable from the gently presented somber opening line.

If you throw every Transit album in a blender, add in roughly 5 to 7 years of grueling cross-country experience, the maturity that develops while on the road, and a slightly clearer vision, the end product is Joyride. Mixing influences and sounds from previous releases, Joyride is a mature, and logical continuation of what has come before, resulting in a product that is just as distinctly Transit as anything else in their discography.

Haze is a well-constructed, flowing, and moderately-paced-hooked-filled album. Not to belittle those factors as they do contribute to its enjoyment, but to focus solely upon those components would be an injustice to Haze and The American Scene, who have accomplished so much more than that. Haze is a slow burning, rhythmic, meticulously calculated 10 songs that fit together like a jig-saw puzzle.

The surprise album Growing In gets back to and builds off of what Ace Enders knows best, crafting honest and raw songs, while also adding a more personal, straightforward approach. This sort of harkening back to roots, and expanding upon them pays off exponentially, as Growing In is arguably the most sensibly cohesive, full, and consistent Mess album to date.

Prawn’s new album Kingfisher is not a complete departure from what the band has put out in the past, as they clearly draw and incorporate influences from previous releases to expand and improve their sound. However, the album presents the listener with a new, refreshing, and energizing Prawn sound. Kingfisher is a compilation of ten thumping, bumping, and “sing along until you lose your voice” type of ambitious rock songs, that are much more direct and straightforward than anything they’ve released prior.

2014 is the year Driver Friendly, knowingly or not, has been building up to their entire career. Essentially perfecting their craft, Unimagined Bridges is Driver Friendly’s best work to date.

The recent surge in demand for emo has led to a supply of bands that have almost equaled the ever-expanding interest in the genre. In the past year or so, new emo bands have begun to sprout up like weeds and grow like wildfire. As a consumer of the genre, it can be difficult to choose what bands to listen to and support, especially when the options are plentiful and the shear amount of recommendations from friends can be overwhelming. With this being said, many bands that deserve your attention can be swept under the carpet without the blink of an eye, or the...