A dark twist on indie pop: Sir Sly’s debut album

Lead singer Landon Jacobs (center) takes center stage at a concert in Sacramento Calif. on Aug. 13. (bassist Jason Suwito on right)

Michelle Kelly/The Skyline View

Lead singer Landon Jacobs (center) takes center stage at a concert in Sacramento Calif. on Aug. 13. (bassist Jason Suwito on right)

The Los Angeles based band Sir Sly released their debut album “You Haunt Me” on Sept. 16, incorporating releases from their earlier “Gold” EP.

The band is classified under what you would call “indie pop,” but the trio, singer Landon Jacobs, drummer Hayden Coplen, and bassist Jason Suwito, create a sound that’s different from their genre.

Sir Sly works off of beats with dark edgy undertones, but keeps an up-tempo rhythm that juxtaposes their lyrics. In the opening track “Where I’m Going” it’s almost impossible to refrain from a foot tap at the very least while lead singer Landon utters things like “You know I’m gonna come for you.”

The new tracks begin with “Nowhere/Bloodlines Part I” which moves seamlessly from the EP making the album feel like a full piece, furthered by the fact that the bloodlines melody bookends the new material.

Having long awaited this LP from what was heard of their singles like “Ghost,” it could become easy to misjudge the direction Sir Sly was heading, but they very much stayed aligned to the omnipresent gloom that fuels them. In tracks like “Floods” they drop the tempo into a softer ballad that flowed well in an almost tiered movement of energy from song to song.

“Too Far Gone” is a stand out track as it marries that incredible knack for hooks Sir Sly encompasses and a perfect melancholy synth. The chorus is jarring in its ability to stay dark, but all the while holding on to that gripping rhythm.

To write a review of this album without mentioning the formidable presence this band has on stage would be a disservice Having seen them twice, it’s easy to say they’re the rare band that is better in person than on their perfectly produced tracks. These songs lend themselves greatly to the energy brought out by the live performance of this trio.

In every way “You Found Me” has all of the necessary attributes for an indie pop record but it also in every way differentiates itself. With a full sound of pulsating percussion and gripping guitar riffs they make an experience that’s separate from their contemporaries.