Rate: 8/10

It’s hard to find the originality behind the hundreds of indie bands that are up and coming these days, but Young Statues has qualities that actually stand out among these competitors. Starting in 2010 from Philadelphia, Young Statues is an easy-to-listen indie rock band from the record company, Run for Cover Records. Although they are a newer band, they have three releases in all and this is their second full length album.

Their first album was self-titled and landed them coverage in the media as an upcoming indie band in 2010. It also had them opening on US tours for huge alternative bands like Man Overboard and Real Friends. They also played in 2014 for a portion of the well-known summer festival, Warped Tour, which landed them an even bigger following.

“Flatlands Are Your Friend” was released on Oct.21 and is 11 tracks long with spacey, hazy, Death Cab for Cutie inspired songs that have a dreamlike melancholy feel. The lyrics show how mature the band has come since their last release in 2013 and that the album has a dark touch to it that you can still easily sing-along to.

The singer songwriter of the band, Carmen Cirignano, shows his personal feelings through writing this album with his captivating lyrics, and that is what makes him one of the most interesting songwriters of the indie scene. The three songs that really stand out from this album to me are the last three songs: “Ain’t a Bad Thing to Lose,” “White Noise,” and “Strangers in a Dream.” They capture the thoughtful lyrical side of the album and combine the dreamy shoe gaze sound.

The album starts out with the song, “Natives,” that reintroduces classic Young Statues. The rest of the album flows nicely moving from calming songs to upbeat songs in a good order. There are points where it gets a little repetitive and almost boring like the songs “Flatlands (Pt.2)” and “Run the River Dry.” Nonetheless, this album can be heard by anyone who wants to explore the different sides the indie scene offers, or someone who wants something new and easy to listen to.

You can preorder LP’s of this album that come in three different colors for $13 each or just buy the CD for a simple $8. You can also get two different album art printed shirts for $14 each. You can get the deluxe package for $30, which includes one LP, a free bonus copy CD, poster, Polaroid printed tee, custom notebook and pen, and a Polaroid with the album lyrics. You can get all these from Run for Cover Record’s web store.

Young Statues have matured and found their signature sound through “Flatlands Are Your Friend,” and have grown from their classic indie sing-alongs like “Pretty Girls Make Raves” and “Eraser.” I can see them moving up in the indie-rock scene for their original appealing lyrics and instrumentals that will make them stand above. Check out this album if you like the band Whirr, or if you love the old Death Cab for Cutie sound from the “Transatlanticism” days.