Coming in fourth on The Deli Philly’s Best of 2013 Emerging Artists Poll is not a loss for Cruiser, in fact, nothing could diminish the amazing year the band had experienced. Their single, “Kidnap Me,” received numerous listens on Soundcloud, which helped to really propel things forward for them (also, I’m sure getting some airtime on the popular HBO TV show, Girls, didn’t hurt either). They were recently signed to The Windish Agency, and this summer, they’ll appear amongst some big-name acts during the Firefly Music Festival. Not only was last year a great step forward for the group, 2014 isn’t looking too shabby either. This windfall of success is well-deserved for Cruiser, who released a most enjoyable debut self-titled EP, in 2012, which was produced by Jeremy Park, who is also responsible for Youth Lagoon’s amazing album, The Year of Hibernation. From there, the project, which was originally a solo effort by frontman Andy States, took a step back to evolve as the formation of the band came together, without losing its signature warmth that radiates from each song, even in the cold chill of winter. Their most recent release, “Kidnap Me,” which was produced by Fancy Time Studio’s Kyle “Slick” Johnson, maintained the project’s upbeat pop styling, complemented by a vocal nonchalance that rises and falls like the waves on a beach. And although summer might seem like the most appropriate setting for Cruiser, they have the chops for any season, and 2014 will definitely be their year to prove it. (You can view the rest of The Deli Philly’s Best of 2013 Emerging Artists list HERE.) – Shaylin O’Connell
