Band: Automatic Loveletter
Album: Recover EP
Genre: Pop Rock
Label: Epic

Tracks:
1. The Answer
2. August 28th, 3:30 AM
3. Hush
4. Parker
5. Make-Up Smeared Eyes [acoustic]

I don’t know if you’re suppose to salivate from music, but this EP made me do just that. Recover, the Epic records debut from Automatic Loveletter is, to say the least, an amazingly catchy, well written EP that makes you as the listener beg for more than the the 5 tracks we’re given. This Florida based, female fronted act is not some Paramore knock off act riding the new wave of female fronted rock, but a truly well rounded, solid act that needs no gimmick to be a hit.

“The Answer,” fades in like an early millennium Jimmy Eat World Track before moving into a percussion heavy, yet relaxed verse. Vocalist Juliet Simms voice is, at once, the most fragile and assured female voice I’ve heard in a long time. Each note, written by Simms herself, is full with all the emotion that seemingly motivated the song originally. Musically, the song has a pretty simple beat and flow, but it’s catchy like cocaine to a teenager. Girls will latch on to the vocals and guys will want to rock out to the guitar parts. It’s pop rock perfection. The follower, “August 28th 3:30 A.M.,” is a bit slower in nature, but with a gorgeous piano accompaniment to the band’s already great atmosphere, it’s hard to deny the track. Once again, Simms vocals shine above it all, but the drum work needs noted as well, especially in the pre-chorus areas. It’s not as strong as, “Answer,” but it’s solid nonetheless.

The mid-track, “Hush,” is a ballad that you will not want to miss. Sure, it comes off as many teenage girls diary entries turned into music, but with great light distorted guitars, pulsing drums, light piano, and very soft cello, the song is sonically impeccable. There is a swirl of strings and a crescendo near the end that is moving to say the least. To follow this, we have, “Parker,” a bit more upbeat number that feels pretty rough at the beginning, but the chorus just shows the whole band soaring at their craft. The lyrics feel a bit more childish than other tracks, but once again, the production and sheer force when the chorus hits is too good to hate on the writing. Now, this actually ends the EP, but there is a bonus track and that is an acoustic version of, “Make-Up Smeared Eyes.” This songs may be my favorite since the first as Simms voice shines even more on this than other tracks. It soars and the strings, percussion and perfectly produced guitar just make the whole song an experience, albeit depressing, it’s amazingly engaging. It’s a depressing note to end things on, but it’s such a solid track you will still want to smile.

If Automatic Loveletter doesn’t blow up, I may have to quit the music industry. This band should get, no, deserves to get all the attention of the music community. Simms has amazingly strong and passionate vocals while the rest of the band plays wonderfully structured accompaniment that rings on long after these 5 songs play through. I met this band at Warped [maybe that interview will make its way here soon] and all I can say is that AUtomatic Loveletter is one of the most driven bands I have ever met and their music shows just that. Find this EP, NOW!
*Written By: James Shotwell*
GRADE: 9.5/10

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James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

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