The alt-pop landscape is like the Wild West.

There are no rules, restrictions, or regulations that would otherwise creatively box an artist in. This unbridled freedom brings with it opportunity; opportunity that Lexington, Kentucky band Emarosa has quickly seized. Jumping headfirst into a new genre is a risky endeavor, especially when your traditional style differentiates so greatly from your newest project. Fortunately, Peach Club, Emarosa’s fifth album, is a wonderful shift in scenery. The band is able to embrace the chaos of alt-pop in a refreshing new light, creating a catchy and energetic album made for sunny days and starry nights alike.

Aesthetics

It’s hard to believe that Emarosa’s first album and Peach Club come from the same artist. They’re both dynamically different, but share a lot of subtle similarities. Both albums pioneered their respective genre while experimenting with a refreshingly new sound. Peach Club differs from its contemporaries in that it takes very few cues from the band’s past work. It trades out the somber sounds for a more upbeat, excitable approach to songwriting. Emarosa’s post-hardcore roots are still intact, (you can hear it on songs like xo, and Get Back Up) but it’s clear that their old style isn’t coming back anytime soon. Having said that, Peach Club shows listeners that change isn’t necessarily a bad thing; in some instances, it can be a pleasant surprise.

Best Aesthetics: The album’s strongest song is by far Givin’ Up. Prior to Peach Club’s release, this lead single was a key indicator on Emarosa’s direction as a band. Everything about this song works; it’s catchy, energetic, and an overall incredibly satisfying listen. The song is so good that the rest of the album is unable to match its gripping, attentive approach. Leading off with your strongest song can be a double edged sword; unfortunately for Emarosa, it seems to have done more harm than good.

Lyricism

Peach Club is a slightly darker take on your traditional pop album. It’s still able to maintain the upbeat anthems that pop music is known for, but it leaves you lingering on some of its more solemn verses. The majority of Peach Club hinges on its catchiness; with easy-to-memorize choruses and fun-filled melodies, you’re bound to find yourself humming along after just a few short seconds of listening. The prioritization of catchiness over lyrical content backs the band into creative corners at times (Hell of It‘s repetitive chorus comes to mind), but it doesn’t damage the album’s overall concept. Upon subsequent listens, you may find yourself underwhelmed by the lyrical depth, but the rest of the album’s sound quickly makes up for that.

While pop artists aren’t traditionally focused on the strength of their storytelling, Get Back Up‘s empowering approach succeeds with ease. It’s a story of staying strong through hardship, urging listeners to keep pushing through even the toughest of life’s challenges. Inspired by lead vocalist Bradley Walden’s mother, Get Back Up‘s perseverance rises far above the traditional take on empowerment. The only thing that feels lacking is its outro; a repetition of the opening statement ten times in a row.

Personality

Alternative pop music is a tough balancing act; you want to stay true to what differentiates you, but you have to also strive to create incredibly memorable music. Fortunately, Emarosa seems to have the formula figured out. Charisma oozes from every chord as songs stay stuck in your head for hours on end. This is a band that’s creating music they would want to listen to. The most important thing to note about Peach Club is that it seems like the band is genuinely having fun. They aren’t putting on airs or trying to be anything less than what they are. Their authenticity is their strongest suit.

Where Personality Works: xo, the album’s only acoustic track, is the band’s Hail Mary of take-me-back songs. In fact, it’s one of Emarosa’s strongest songs to date; you can hear the pain behind Walden’s heartbreaking vocal delivery. The sparse production of xo provides further urgency to the lyrics, creating an intimate presentation where Walden lays it all on the line for his partner (ex-partner?). It’s eerily reminiscent of their older work, which is sure to please fans of their older style of songwriting.

Quality

Peach Club has a very clean sheen to it. The album’s mixing and production is sleek, stylish, and reminiscent of The 1975’s newest project. It sounds made for festivals and audience participation alike. Listening to Givin’ Up frequently conjures imagery of audiences cheering the band on as the saxophone solo roars through the wall of sound the band builds. The energy that permeates Peach Club seems intent on getting you to sing, dance, and have a great time enjoying an album that was just as fun to make as it is to experience.

Highest Quality: Wait, Stay is an excellent closer to an album full of subtly somber lyrics. It’s the deep breath you take after you come down from the dopamine high. Wait, Stay is a fitting conclusion to an album so focused on moving on and growing through hardships. The sentiment of self-improvement rings true throughout Peach Club; Wait, Stay is the album’s realistic perspective. You only have so much time to make right by yourself; if you don’t do everything in your power to at least try, the things you love may leave.

Conclusions

As I’ve mentioned on previous reviews, shifts in style can be risky and rewarding. It’s tough for a band that’s been around as long as Emarosa has to maintain their audience while shifting their sound to something new. Fortunately, their confidence in their new sound shines through on Peach Club, carrying it to new heights through every track. Older fans may find themselves disappointed in Emarosa’s dynamic change, but it’s quite clear that the band is happier than ever writing music they love. While it may have had a few occasional stylistic bumps in the road, Peach Club is a fun-filled romp through alt-pop from start to finish.

Final Score: 6.6 Pumped Up Jams/10

Do you like dramatic shifts in sound? Check out Title Fight’s dreamy approach on Hyperview or Turnover’s ethereal melodies on Peripheral Vision. If you like upbeat indie music, you’d love Curtsy’s album Tell Me How This Ends! Want an album review? Head over to the Contact page and drop an album off!