GIVERS - Movin' On EP

GIVERS are an Indie Pop band hailing from Louisiana, who back in 2011 got a pretty big break with their debut album "In Light".  Now, I enjoyed this album casually.  A lot of the singles here were very catchy and bright, like the infectious "Up Up Up".  Even some of the deep cuts like the very majestic "In My Eyes" or the catchy "Ceiling Of Plankton" just showed that GIBERS had plenty to offer.  But some of the rest of the tracks here sort of showed that the band had a one-dimensional sound.  So many of the tracks on "In Light" massively blended together, and it just got boring at times. GIVERS returned in 2015 with "New Kingdom", and while I wasn't crazy for this album this was a massive upgrade on all fronts.  The production on this album was surprisingly great, and tracks like "Remember" had almost a cinematic feel.  And yes, there were still corny tracks like "Sure Thang" and "Mother of Love", but at least GIVERS were really starting to pup out tracks like "Bermuda" that made me genuinely excited.  So GIVERS are back with their first album in a few years.  And honestly?  From these singles, I really haven't ever heard them sound so carefree and truly energetic.  Let's chat about this bad boy!

This EP starts off with “Movin’ On”, and instantly, this is easily the vastest that the band has sounded in quite some time.  In the early days, I felt like GIVERS were fantastic at writing these very catchy Indie Pop tunes.  But their tracks have grown bigger and broader over the years, and it’s never been bigger or more colorful than it is here.  Now, this is ultra-positive to the point where it may come off a little cheesy to some, I would absolutely get that.  The production is crystal clear, the vocals are very sunny, and it’s plenty catchy for the most part.  However, I sort of wish they went further and made this even catchier.  Plus, as solid of a track as this is, I have to say it still sounds like GIVERS are blending the sounds of so many bands.  Still though, solid.  On the other hand, “Collide” is all sorts of breezy, and actually has the band approaching their instrumental in a much more technical way than usual.  Like, I’m not saying this is going to be jaw-dropping by any standards.  But it’s refreshing to hear GIVERS approach this track with a very classy guitar riff that almost reminds me of something Dirty Projectors would come up with.  Not to mention, just how anthemic this track is wonderful.  I just still wish this was a little bit catchier, but still, GIVERS are giving us some of their most concrete and vast songs to date.  However, for a single track that really stands out to me here, “Love Is Like A Fire” is up there.  I love the carefree attitude of this one, and it’s refreshing to hear Tiffany Lamson on vocals here.  But, GIVERS are an Indie Pop band at the end of the day, and always have been, so I honestly want to hear them at their catchiest and sunniest.  And that’s exactly what we have here.  It’s also very tropical, which is something I’m usually very hit and miss about in the world of Indie Pop.  But GIVERS pull it off wonderfully, more of this please.  But of all of the tracks here, “Half Life” does the least for me.  Outside of a mesmeric and hypnotizing chorus which is actually pretty fantastic, this just sounds like a blend of Indie Pop cliches of all shapes and sizes.  Here, it doesn’t just sound like they’re taking inspiration from some of the greats, it sounds like they’re stealing it completely.  But, I do have to give the band credit, because GIVERS are working hard to expand their sound. 

Rating: 7.1/10

Genre: Indie Pop 

Overall Thoughts: This isn’t a bad Indie Pop EP.  If you can stomach very summery, catchy Indie Pop that sees influences all over the board, you may actually really love this.  GIVERS here are making more elaborate and vast songs than ever, and they can obviously still write catchy hooks for days.  My only real issue with this EP, is that by the end GIVERS just sound like they’re taking from their influences a little too much.  Still though, the band sound more concrete than ever and I’m curious to see how their next album goes.