Local musicians of the electro-alternative band Phantogram released their new self-titled EP this past Tuesday, September 30th. Phantogram – EP is a blend of past electronic reverberations and new sounds with which the duo, consisting of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, has chosen to experiment. Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel plays the keyboard and sings lead vocals while Josh Carter plays guitar and sings as well.

The resonances that occur in this Phantogram EP explode with originality and compel the listener to turn up his or her headphones because nothing matches the beat of a Phantogram song. The EP includes 4 tracks titled; “Black Out Days”, “Never Going Home”, “The Day You Died”, and “Celebrating Nothing”. While these tracks have similar vibes compared to past Phantogram albums, the band introduced a new passion in the lyrics and instrumentation that hasn’t yet been heard in past songs.

Lyrics to “Black Out Days” are a perfect example of Phantogram’s brilliantly poetic lyrics, “Fireworks exploding in my hands/If I could plaint the sky/All the stars would shine up in red”. Lyrics to “Celebrating Nothing” show another side of Phantogram, a side that is tortured and melancholy. “How many times can I blow it all/How many times will I burn it down/Give me a reason to stay alive/I’ve got the feeling we’re gonna die”.

The tracks themselves are quite splendid. In “Never Going Home”, Josh’s vocals are sad and heartfelt, and the song is slow-paced and sweet. “Black Out Days”, the leading single off the album, is a classic Phantogram track with crazy keyboard sounds no one knew existed. “The Day You Died” would easily fit into the track list of one of Phantogram’s previous albums, including many elements of old Phantogram songs.

“Celebrating Nothing” is the essential track off the new Phantogram EP. Barthel’s hauntingly beautiful vocals are both eerie and bittersweet; they create a melody that meshes perfectly with the guitar style of Josh Carter. The duo exemplifies their teamwork fantastically on this track.

Fans of M83 and Matt & Kim, Phantogram is a band you’ll find yourself falling in love with in a matter of seconds.

Phantogram is from Saratoga Springs, New York. The band will commence tour this fall. One of the tour venues is Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, New York at which Phantogram will play a show on Saturday, December 7th.