Boy=Man

German emo-pop outfit Madeleine debuted with the easy-to-like EP Boy=Man, something of a throwback to the sound of first-wave emo acts like the Get Up Kids and early Jimmy Eat World. The first thing that's notable about Boy=Man is how agreeably tuneful it all is: after years of tortured metal-derived guitar riffs and anguished high-register squealing from hordes of cookie-cutter bands, it's almost hard to remember how catchy and melodic the style could be. Indeed, much of this record, like the near bossa nova rhythm and winsome vocals of "By Bus," verges on downright pretty. Other highlights include the gently anthemic first single "This Town" and the album's power poppish highlight, "Adolescent Freedom Song." The weakest track is the over-long closer, "How It Goes," and even it would be entirely listenable if a couple minutes' worth of the twinkling repeated guitar riff and associated noodly solo were excised. Boy=Man largely disappeared on its release, but it's a most enjoyable find for anyone with fond memories of a musical subgenre that once seemed to have such potential.