It is no surprise that in today’s alternative scene, a band like Citizen would gain notable attention. Their raw, youthful energy captures perfectly the angst of suburbia and the grittiness of the city. Citizen (Matt Kerekes, Eric Hamm, Nick Hamm, and Mike Armstrong) may be a relatively new band, having formed a little over two years ago, but their sound has a maturity that is sure to turn heads.

Citizen’s newest release, Young States, exemplifies why the Midwestern quartet have been haphazardly grouped with the likes of Make Do And Mend, Polar Bear Club, and Sainthood Reps. Alas, the listener would be remised if he described Citizen’s sound as being too closely in line with any of the aforementioned bands. Clocking in at a mere eighteen minutes, Young States is sure to garner repeat listens. “Detached” showcases a band willing to play bombastic music without sacrificing technicality. The guitar work is subtle, yet intricate and tasteful. The melodic “I Still Shut My Eyes” and the pop-tinged “Right Through” display the versatility Citizen is capable of creating in the future. Young States concludes its five-track escapade with the frantic “Untitled” and blazing “Young States.” The former, although difficult to differentiate from the other five songs, has a charm bout it that only the Midwest can inspire. Contrastly, the latter would sound familiar, both structurally and sonically, to many songs by the alt-rock outfit, Seahaven.

Young States is a bite-size taste of melodic ear candy. Although the EP is certainly not groundbreaking, it will introduce Citizen to a much larger fan base. Is there room for improvement? There is always room for improvement. For one, the production sounds second-class, leaving some strings untied. As well, lyrically the group could find ways to diversify their theme. Yet, Young States is far more of a success story than any variation on a tragedy. The next chapter of Citizen will be compelling. 

★★★☆☆

*This review was composed by Mike Meeze