Written by Maria Arroyo
The 80’s indie-pop band, Real Numbers, share their new EP, Brighter Then. Hailing from Minneapolis, this five-piece band, takes this EP in a bit of a different direction than previous records and expand on their signature 80s indie-pop sound.
Lyricist Eli Hansen for Brighter Then really dives deep into more “personal and introspective tack revolving around relationships, shifting perspectives, and memories.” Their vision is also brought to life with the help of producer, Matt Castore, from his own studio.
The title track, “Brighter Then,” is “created around its circular lead, tackles the subject of evolving friendships – losses, gains and the acceptance of the present.” It creates a shoegaze soft vibe that was only highlighted by their trance-like vocals that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
“Darling” has a similar feel to the first, but with a strong rhythmic sense that really drives the song. The full-sounding backing vocals really make the space the music sits feel much bigger than it is, which I really appreciate.
“Old Cross” is a beautiful instrumental piece that falls exceptionally into place with the other tracks. “Old Cross” along with “In The End” are both co-authored by Eli Hansen and Cameron Soojian.
Close enough in style to the other tracks is “In The End,” but still brings a bit of sparkle to keep things interesting. There’s a beautiful suspension in the chord progressions and a lot of tension and release between the different sections of the song. It ends with a great instrumental ending that swells into a dull explosion of emotion and excitement.
The closing track “Brighter Then (Reprise)” is a great way to begin and end the album. We came right back to where we started, and though the EP is short-lived, tells a cohesive and seamless story from beginning to end. Brighter Then is a beautiful creation, and I really hope you all check it out!
Connect with Real Numbers
