LVL UP have released their third full length album under Sub Pop label, which just proves how remarkable these boys are. American indie scene was always saturated with bands similar to LVL UP - groups who combine many alternative genres into one approachable indie story. From today’s point of view, four guys from New York do not deliver anything particularly inventive. But, this is not an important aspect as Return To Love is an indie rock bomb!
Influences are quite diverse – from classic indie musicians, through power pop and lo-fi performers, all the way to Neutral Milk Hotel, Weezer, Grandaddy, The Shins, Built To Apill and many others. As you may have concluded so far – it’s easy to listen to LVL UP.
Hidden Driver is an evidence that inspiration can come from the Bible itself, and it is a wisely chosen album opener. Throughout the song, the boys have showed that catchy melody in exuberant style sometimes trick you to believe that the lyrics might be in the same affective tone. Blur exemplifies their influences, so it comes off as a track that was not polished enough. The song sounds like it does not want to reach any level of commercial success. Due to this raw approach, LVL UP stand as lo-fi fighters, even though they would probably accomplish more If they made the production slightly more plastic.
She Sustain Us is the first ballade of the album in which piano plays the main role and it delivers some dope instrumental tricks. Spirit Was is built on strong guitar improvisations, while Pain is one of the most complex songs on the album, which immediately makes it one of the best as well.
As the album heads towards the end, we get few beautiful songs that are brought down to downtempo. First of them is noisy The Closing Door, while the charming I resembles The Thermals.
Return To Love is an indie rock diamond that represents American indie scene in a glorious manner. LVL UP do not offer spectacular originality, but amalgamation of well known styles emerged something pleasant.
