STATES
Room to Run (Re-Release)
[Tooth and Nail Records]
Verdict: 7.5/10

Last year members of famed indie groups COPELAND and LYDIA came together to create a surprising release. Sure the quality of the sound was there, but instead of crafting dreamy indie rock, Room to Run was much more aggressive than either of the aforementioned bands. Mindy White’s strong vocals and the backing members’ fairly aggressive indie rock approach combined for an affair that leaned closer to PARAMORE than slow burning indie pop. Thankfully, the backing members are very talented, which helps captivate the release even when the music dips into more traditional indie rock tropes. To cement the fact that this is a different band, “Everlasting” drops the indie label is a straight-up pop gem; it would not seem out of place on a top 40 radio station. Recently, the band was picked up by Tooth and Nail Records and is re-releasing Room to Run with seven unreleased songs, two of which are original recordings. Fans of COPELAND will be pleased with the two new songs, as they are both slower than anything on the original release. Listeners will have to wait to see if this sonic shift will carry on to the band’s sophomore release. Regardless, this re-release is perfectly timed, as Room to Run features nearly perfect summery indie rock. While the members’ previous bands specialized in music well suited for dreary, rainy days, STATES excels in a sound that is best enjoyed on sunny days. – by Nicholas Senior

>> Classification: Aggressive Indie Pop
>> Recommended Tracks: “Timebomb” and “Everlasting”
>> In Conclusion: Fans of driving indie rock will be at home with STATES’ Room to Run. Each song is equally enjoyable for its vocal hooks and well-crafted instrumentals.