On February 26, New Mayans put out their indie-released EP, Crimes. With melodious instrumentation and a singer whose voice shares similarities to Editors’ vocalist, Tom Smith, they are a band to watch.
New Mayans have an artistic approach to song-writing. The EP opens up with their single, “Universe,” whose lyrics look at the past from a dystopian future. The music has an almost video game sound to its synthesizer. “Jezebel” has a rock opera feel to its vocals that have allusions to Muse. It uses playful guitar and heavy percussion for a galactic sound.
The Crimes EP was produced by Mario McNulty who has also worked with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails and Lou Reed. New Mayans have a resemblance to these dramatic forefathers with songs like “Glue Boiler” which turns their electronic indie into rock and roll with a haunting chorus and amazing guitar work. The album ends on the melancholy “Crimes” which lingers, leaving its emotional impression long past the final note.
This EP will leave you wanting more. Don’t despair. They have a full-length album in the works titled, Odyssey, though there’s no solid release date yet. I, for one, will be keeping my eyes on their website for news. These four songs left the impression of a serious rock band with a bright future ahead of them.