Album Review: Arrow To The Sun - Be Brave

Sounding like a cross between Bayside and Circa Survive, Arrow to the Sun have crafted an EP here that is genuinely fresh and full of promise. Opener 'Dig Your Teeth In' is a sure-fire winner for any fan of Saosin, Closure in Moscow, or those sorts of bands with technical guitar work and soaring vocals. Most importantly it never lets the intricacies of the musicianship overtake the necessity for crafting a hook and Dig Your Teeth In succeeds in almost every regard.

Arrow To The Sun keep the influences coming thick and fast with the Acceptance-esque 'New Communion'. The vocals on this EP almost impeccable and the range displayed is highly impressive, though they sound at their best on New Communion. Arrow to the Sun are keen to showcase their vocals and lyrics, pushing them to the forefront of the mix and this is richly deserved.

Nevertheless they are musically as tight as many of their peers, highlighted on a song like 'One Of The Few', another that only serves to show how Arrow to the Sun are making music that bands doubly as experienced as them could not. Sartori is easily reminiscent of late Thrice, with the lyrical maturity that Dustin Kensrue took a few years to find present for already, at just 2 minutes Sartori packs a mean punch and leads into the EP closer, 'This is What I Get for Going Ahead'. What stands out on this track is how quickly Arrow to the Sun have been able to craft a signature sound.

Despite being able to spot the influences on this EP it still ends up being unmistakably their collection of songs. To be able to do this on a 6 track EP is no mean feat and they must receive credit. 'The Ghost and His Gavel' is however the weakest track on display, lacking the hook that allows the others to stand out, it does have the unenviable task of following 'Dig Your Teeth In' on the EP so it inevitable pales in comparison but it remains the most ‘skippable’ track on the EP.

Regardless this EP deserves to be listened to. It is refreshing to hear a band that can list musical maturity as one of their inherent qualities. What this shows is that Arrow To The Sun have set themselves the strongest foundation to go on and progress as far as their ambition allows them. As an aside it must also be mentioned that the album art is stunning as well.

4/5

'Be Brave' by Arrow To The Sun is available now.

Arrow To The Sun on MySpace

Nick Robbins