The Honors release their debut EP, "xoxo," Friday at Great Scott. The EP is riddled with hooks, often sounding like retro pop filtered through modern sensibilities: the vocals in the opener, "New Girls," are a well-timed and thoughtfully catchy corner-of-the-eye glance at new romance, yet they’re soaked in reverb and play against short bursts of distorted guitar. The songs are punchy and concise, with a solid, danceable rhythm section and some nicely playful guitar lines. It’s the relationship between oldschool songwriting and newer sonic textures that seems to guarantee an electrifying live show. The vocals often steal the limelight – there’s a serious ear for melody evidenced here – and it’s the verse of "Call Me From California" or the chorus of "Driven By Strangers" that will leave the club with you.
Their EP release show is part of a Pill event, so take your dancing shoes and expect there to be plenty else to stay on the floor for.
10pm / Great Scott
– The Deli Staff