Realities

The Spill Canvas' Realities EP is only five songs long and void of ballads, but every tune plays with a buoyancy perfect for a soundtrack to accompany getting ready for school or work. "Our Song" cleverly contrasts uptempo rhythms and sunny melodies with lyrics that surrender to the realities of a relationship where romantic ideals have been dissolved by predictability. The acoustic based "Dust Storm" boasts cool instrumentation like castanets, organ and a string section that helps keep things sounding endearingly melodramatic. "Let Go" injects the band's emo-based sound with some tinges of ‘80s new wave like a quirky keyboard, backing singers and even a simplistic rap. A glockenspiel and horn section add depth to "10,000 Midnights" while playfully plucked strings add a fantastical Disneyesque element to the tune. Easily the catchiest number here, "Crash Course" has the band getting in touch with their inner Weezer, with sharpened power-pop hooks and Thomas' shaky Conor Oberst-inspired inflections keeping things emo.