Rubblebucket
Survival Sounds
(Communion Records)

Brooklyn’s own Rubblebucket is a fascinating breed of art pop band. Upbeat synths, catchy horns, and captivating vocals are all present in pleasing amounts. This isn’t your typical, distorted dance music. You can make out the vocals, but you might be too busy on your feet to notice.

Opening track “On the Ground” has the sort of steady beat and gently insistent keyboards to make your hips sway, with lead vocalist Kalmia Traver’s voice a charming combination of Jenny Lewis and Zooey Deschanel. “Carousel Ride” flits between heavily distorted guitar and dizzying synths to peaceful music during the verses, the transition mimicking an amusement park attraction. “Middle” is a shouty pop tune that would be right at home on an Arcade Fire album.

But Rubblebucket doesn’t just focus on the upbeat. “Rewind” is a shimmering retro track with heavy bass and funked out guitars. “Young and Old” is surprisingly slow and quiet, with the lyrics capturing the importance of valuing love over small worries.

Survival Sounds is an appropriate title for this collection of songs. Rubblebucket proves itself to be a chameleon of a band, occupying various genres while refusing to belong anywhere. Listening to this, you’ll be left wondering why more bands don’t feature their own trumpet player. This is definitely a good thing.