Songs to download: ‘Absolutely,’ ‘Bad Times,’ ‘Every Time I’m Ready to Hug’

Released on Feb. 19, Ra Ra Riot’s new album, “Need Your Light,” offers everyone a little bit of light as we head into what seems to be an early midterm season. An indie rock band that got its start during the members’ time together at Syracuse University, Ra Ra Riot has been climbing the ladder of success in the music industry since its debut in 2006. Despite suffering tragedy with the loss of one of its original members, John Ryan Pike, very soon after its musical birth, the band chose to continue its work, gaining fame with the release of its first self-titled EP in 2007 and maintaining an ever-growing fan base drawn by the band’s energetic vibe.

The band released three singles in anticipation of “Need Your Light”’s arrival, including “Water,” “Absolutely” and “Foreign Lovers.” Particularly unique among these works is “Water” which, in addition to its artistically lagging tempo and strong percussion, includes the vocals of former Vampire Weekend member Rostam Batmanglij. As the album’s first song, “Water” starts the whole album off on a slower note, allowing it to progressively gain momentum into what compares to an ’80s dance party soundtrack. Second on the list comes “Absolutely,” which instantaneously picks up the tempo, pulling people out of their doldrums and into a foot-tapping, feel-good mood with its arpeggiated bass and lyrical encouragements for happiness. “Foreign Lovers” follows, pushing a fast tempo and quiet intro leading up to brief explosions of sound during the refrain.

Ra Ra Riot changes the pace a bit with title track “I Need Your Light.” Consuming listeners with a sound instrumentally focused on rhythmic percussion, the band’s signature bass and the violin do not reappear until the song’s climax. Unfortunately, such climax only leads to repetition of the song’s title, leaving listeners curious as to why this song made the cut for album title as opposed to other light-hearted and fun titles like “Every Time I’m Ready To Hug” and “Bouncy Castle.”

But the album makes up for the strange vibes of its main song with the next track. “Bad Times” combines a staccato synth with lead vocalist Wesley Miles’ high voice to make a memorable sound that makes you feel as if the bad times are being wiped away with every swipe of the background violin. “Call Me Out” showcases Miles’ wide range even more through moments of powerful vibrato and daring vocal slides.

Overall, the songs all come together to create a work focused on the typical thematic focus of most contemporary music: love. Singing about breakups, jealousy and needing the light of another to get through life’s struggles, Ra Ra Riot does not get too explorative on either verbal or rhythmic sides of the artistic spectrum. Yet such focus on the norm continues to help the band get its foot in the door to fame and glory and gets it closer to the Billboard Top 100.

So whether you are looking to DJ your next party or merely need a song to dance to during that 2 a.m. study session, Ra Ra Riot may have the next major song for you to play at maximum volume on your speakers. Now’s your chance to give Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” a rest and try something new.