Album Review: The Persian Leaps- High & Vibrate

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since all of the neat stuff that happened in my life in 2014—specifically, getting laid off from the mundane yet high paying job I had in marketing, being unemployed for two months, working in a bookstore (which I still do on weekends) and accepting the position to work at the newspaper.

So that means it’s been a year since the Twin Cities based power pop outfit The Persian Leaps released their second EP, which I recall listening to and jotting down notes about during a shift at the bookstore.

A lot has changed for me, but thankfully, The Persian Leaps’ sound has not changed, as they are readying release of their third EP, High & Vibrate, which frontman Drew Forsberg was kind of to bless me with an advance copy of for review purposes.

Still channeling your favorite alternative rock bands from the 1990s, as well as the jangle of early to mid era R.E.M. some punky, driving rhythms, and a little dream pop for good measure (check the guitar strumming on “Under The Lilacs”) The Persian Leaps successfully power through this charming and catchy set of five new tracks.

And by the time they hit the autumnal, introspective closing track, “Anthem,” reminiscent of Thirteen-era Teenage Fanclub, as the song grows, you’ll see why they chose to call it “Anthem” in the first place.

While a nostalgic sound can be dangerous and derivative, luckily in the hands of The ‘Leaps, it is anything but—while they may wear their influences on their sleeves, they are able to create a refreshing sound all their own. In 2015, I am personally thankful that music like this is still being made—proving that straightforward rock music is not a young man’s game, High & Vibrate stops short of being “cool dad rock” simply because of the injection of youthful exuberance and excitement the EP gives off.

High & Vibrate is out on 9/25 via Land Ski Records.