Throughout the history of the music industry, there have been acts who have done things differently than others, and it either pays off at the time or over time. There’s a good chance that you’ve never heard of the choral pop music of Portland’s Ages and Ages, but that needs to change. Their music is so thoughtfully made, like artisan craft works of melody and structure that it’s hard to think that anyone couldn’t like them after one listen. Ahead of their new full length album Me You They We due in April, they’ve dropped an E.P. called Nothing Serious, and though all of the songs will appear on the full length, it’s a gamble that hopefully pays off.

The easy going nature of the opening track, “Nothing Serious” is so thoughtfully created, there’s a magical way in which the vocal harmonies play with how the song is laid out. The falsetto vocals have their own weight while they drive the vehicle of the song along with a breezy nature. This continues on the piano lead “Just My Luck.” The song has touches that remind you of The Beatles or The Apples In Stereo, though its definitely making its own way here. The beauty of this group is how the vocals and the music seem to be very thoughtfully crafted. There’s never a moment where you think that something doesn’t work, or that it’s out of place. The songs come in like sunshine and leave a lasting impression that never calls for sunblock.

The coupling of five tracks contains little gems of sound throughout. The almost seventies feel of “Needle and Thread” offers these toy pianos that embody so much space, but never feel cluttered while the hooks-oh so many hooks-come from guitar, from orchestral movements, it’s all glorious. The final of the five, “How It Feels” is breezy but not light. There’s no reason to think that the full length won’t contain just as much melody, as much well placed instrumentation between voice and instrument, creating a dizzying array that you can’t get enough of.

You can stream Nothing Serious on all streaming platforms, you can pre-order Me You They We on all digital retailers or you can pick it up on multiple formats including a limited edition pink vinyl directly from Partisan Records before it gets released on April 05. Ages and Ages will be on tour beginning April 12 in Redding, CA at The Dip until May 30 in Milwaukee, WI at Cactus Club. A complete listing of their appearances can be accessed here.

Image Credits: Photo by Andrew Evan John.