There’s always some degree of pretense when bands adorn themselves with new genre labels. What exactly is dream punk, anyway? Isn’t it basically just shoegaze, 90s emo, and post-rock? Whatever it is, it’s what Tiny Blue Ghost have chosen to call themselves. In some ways, it’s a shell of a description – calling the group shoegaze would be more than sufficient – but it at least shows how the band wants to be associated.

On the latest EP, the band employees a host of sonic tide-shifts, vocal distortions, and abstract arrangements for a result that’s a bit confusing. Put “We Intertwined” against “Lose the Hat” and you’ll notice a sharp juxtaposition. Some bands might garner praise for this level of diversity, but neither track really packs a heavy punch.

That aside, a female-fronted rock project is always welcome when many acts have shifted to pop or just broken up entirely. Marissa Carroll’s voice is in a similar vein to Paramore or Flyleaf, and she shines the most on the “The Plunge”, the EP’s closing track. Elsewhere, she attempts a bit of pseudo-punk aggression – but it’s ultimately in the purity that she thrives. I think of the defunct Slow Bird and how a soft, tired voice can pair so powerfully with more distraught instrumentation. And while Carroll isn’t necessarily an appropriate comparison, there are certainly moments where she is the defining factor of the band.

Instrumentally, the band seems to oversell themselves with Circa Survive comparisons. This is not any brand of experimental post-hardcore. And while what they do offer is not bad, my expectations were thrown off a bit. Take the opening track, “We Intertwined”, a mostly-instrumental post-rock standard that adds in a couple lines of vocals toward the end. I spent several minutes wondering if the band was instrumental, if the song was a fluke, and a number of other things that were answered later on.

Much of the EP is moody meandering through hazy shoegaze and post-rock, albeit with a stronger lyrical presence. “Lose the Hat” is the surprise switch-up, but it feels a bit awkward all in all.

The main redeeming track is “The Plunge”, a more typical indie/emo measure with haunting guitar and a fat bass tone. The track succeeds where its compatriots do not due to its dynamic range. There are darker darks and brighter brights. The heavier moments stand starkly in contrast to the angelic highs. And the chaotic spiral at the end is such a nice touch.

That said, this is a solid EP if you come with the proper expectations. Tiny Blue Ghost is an interesting band that plays off the abstract quite a bit, and if you’re looking for mood music, you’ve come to the right place. The band is clearly talented, and they bring a refreshing approach to a struggling scene. It is worth noting they do not handle their influences casually, mixing in 2% here and there – they liberally apply elements of the aforementioned genres to a measure that exceeds any standard “indie” label. And if the band can find the right audience, there’s definitely a niche of new fans which will soon follow.

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Founder’s Second Opinion: I went into this EP with minimal expectations, other than of the consistently solid curation from emo-leaning label Count Your Lucky Stars Records. I agree that the opening track does meander a bit more than expected, but with solid execution. I would be curious to see how this translates live. I think I hear the Paramore vocal comparison, but not the Flyleaf one. Hayley Williams comparisons are all to often low hanging fruit but here I think its accurate. One very niche comparison that I would bring to the table is dreamy indie group The Cordial Sins. Or maybe Alvvays. In any case, this EP warms up as it goes on. By the 3rd track I’m sold on liking this band. The aggressive nature of the end of the EP is a bit unexpected, and subverts expectations of albums ending often on a quieter note. -Ryan G