The positively titled ‘Let Your Anger Leave You’ is the new EP release from indie darlings ‘Ideals’. Clocking in with a whopping seven tracks, no less, it offers more of a mini-album feel than extended single as most EP’s are intended. Its lengthy run time however is complimented by a series of well crafted guitar songs and emotive lyrics which draw the listener in tight and holds them close throughout. Where a lot of similar bands use emotion and sadness to add a quality of depth to their work Ideals mirror their EP’s title by portraying an encouraging outlook; yes their songs are rooted in anguish but with soaring choruses they avoid being another ‘melancholy’ band which gives their sound added poignancy.
The Title track and opener kicks off with the sound we’ve come to know from this band, a foot stomping indie anthem rich in complimenting guitar lines and a strong well executed vocal refrain. This sets us up for a high tempo assault of alternative gems – the highlight of which for me coming in the form of track six’s ‘ Eyes Open’, which shows a slow burning melody bursting into the signature massive chorus with signer Andrew Major telling us ‘If you live with yourself, die by yourself, you outta know just how far the bottom goes’. The song then climaxes with the induction of a brass section pulling the euphoric sounds together.
Ideals are clearly a band who wear their influences on their sleeves. Nods to acts like Joy Division, Interpol and most noticeably White Lies are all very apparent but this doesn’t make this (what is essentially a teaser) record any less substantial. It’s a solid, well thought out piece of work and should hopefully springboard this outfit into a more prominent position ahead of the release of their album proper.
Let Your Anger Leave You Ep is available on Itunes