Comprised of high school best friends Bryce Vehrs and Andrew Skillern, the band PSAP was formed in 2014. Confining themselves to a strict set of rules to bolster their creativity over the course of two years, the Seattle-based duo has recently released their most recent double album, a collection of indie-emo tracks titled Homecoming Queen.
Homecoming Queen is a raw, lo-fi, authentic work, full of punchy moments of energy and heaviness, juxtaposed with moments of quieter thoughtfulness. PSAP is artistic and unafraid, boldly sampling everything from heavy electric guitars to spacey synths to delicate acoustics, to nearly everything in between. Their songwriting takes a varied approach, at times blunt and unapologetic, and at times poetic and insightful. The band’s all-encapsulating approach gives them a jack-of-all-trades feel, but they feel comfortable and cohesive in every genre that they decide to dip their feet in.
A standout track is *The Cactus and I, perhaps most for its unexpectedness early on in the project. In the midst of punk beats and heavy distortion, this indie-folk anthem sits like polished glass in the middle of a rushing river. A surprising discovery to be sure, but a welcome one – and a clear indicator of the band’s range. (But don’t sleep on the following track Dream Goblin if you’re looking for something with a little more bite.)
Honest, uncompromising, and successfully experimental. PSAP has no doubt pushed its own creative boundaries in this work, and the result is an album that is emotive as it is entertaining. Fans of classic emo and folk-punk sounds will be as at home on Homecoming Queen as anyone who can appreciate a band that strives to push themselves as far as they can go for the sake of the music.
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BELOW: Listen to PSAP and connect with their website and social media platforms. Please support PSAP by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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