Panem's Best

Culver City, Calif.–based The Tributes have recorded six songs inspired by the ongoing saga of The Hunger Games. "Mockingjay” opens with Joey Graceffa's androgynous vocals singing over contemporary synth-pop, bolstered by resourceful drum-machine manipulation. “Run Away” is a romantic electro duet between the fictional characters Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark (here voiced by Meghan Camarena and Graceffa). They sing escapist dreams over throbbing beats and bubbling synthesizers. Then “Reaping” finds the duo sharing a despairing ballad about the brutal blood sport, which Katniss has volunteered for to spare her sister's life. The standout track “Arena” layers dramatic emo pop over a dubstep foundation as Graceffa and Camarena muse on the game (and explain some of its rules). The endearing “Stay with Me” crosses a cartoonishly amorous sentiment with campy, karaoke-toned instrumentation to sound like two anime characters sharing a moment. The EP closes with the triumphant anthem “Rebellion.”