When you go to see a band live for the first time, it is normal to expect them to sound like a better or (often) worse version of their "digital streaming" selves: in the case of Long Island’s BRAEVES (who coincidentially just qualified for out Best of NYC Year End Poll), this identity can be described as your "regular" melodic indie pop band. But a live show can quickly affect your preconceptions. Opening song ‘Guest of the Gun’ instantly hit us with a noteworthy emotional impact: the young band kept hanging on to that quality throughout the show; their stage presence and competent performance gave their songs an added strength, and the crowd of a sold out Pianos certainly helped create the perfect atmosphere. As they played “Talk like Strangers” (streaming), I was thinking about the tough week France had, especially my dear Paris (yes, that’s where I hail from), and then everything flew away for a while – which is exactly what I needed. The band’s melodies, full of emotions, are supported by Ryan Colt Levy’s clean, perfectly "pop" vocals. The crowd’s applause signaling the end of the show brought me back to earth, which suddenly felt like a better place. Isn’t that what pop music is for? – Maylis Personnaz
