Empty Light

The members of the Richmond, Va.–based Avers have been in other respectable bands (like Lost in the Trees and The Head and the Heart), so it’s no surprise that their debut, Empty Light, feels as strong as a baby bull in a china shop. Shaded with psychedelic colors and overtones in distortion-drenched 12-string glory, glittering acoustic guitar notes, swirling melodies, and free-spirit vocals, Empty Light is a psych-rock record with a relaxed, laid-back soul that just wants to party a little and hang out in a meadow of wildflowers all day. Reminiscent of the loose, postpunk, faux-cowboy side of Camper van Beethoven on rollicking tunes like “The Only One” and “Hangman” while stirring up an unsettling lysergic storm on tracks like “Harvest” and “Mercy,” these guys and one gal feel like they’ve been together for years. Avers have a clear idea of where they’re heading, and they're right at home switching from Byrds-like jangle to black-light mind-melding and back again as easily as they (and especially their three guitarists) change pedals and effects boxes. The easy, subtle good-time vibe keeps things especially appealing.