The Rio Grande Valley is a regional hotbed for Latino indie talent as bands like Dignan, Vinyl Dharma and In Situ Sound have proven. From what our sources tell us, more talent from South Texas is ready to burst on the scene. The next band to carry that torch for El Valle is a young indie-pop quartet, The Young Maths. Their new EP, You’re Buying Nothing, is just a raw sampling of what they are capable of.
Featuring the b-sides to their first EP, Thank You, Goodnight!, this new Young Maths EP shows a different side of them in comparison to their high-energy dance-pop hits that garnered them their initial blogger buzz. With more singing than shouting this time around, vocalist Robert Godinez proves he has the voice that allows The Young Maths to be more than just a one-genre specialist.
Much like their previous work, all the tracks on You’re Buying Nothing are full of clever lyrics and catchy hooks. “The Mistress” is a fun, ’90s style pop track that sounds like a more punk version of Lit. “Daughters and Cents” is another ’90s alternative-influenced gem that sounds so much like Lit that it’s scary, but in a good way. “Hospitals” is the token pop-rock ballad that is semi-enjoyable, being saved by their clever lyrics and spacey supporting vocals that give the track a full sound. If you are just looking to download individual singles at a time, skip “Hospitals.”
For those that purchase the complete EP on the band’s bandcamp site, you will get bonus downloads that are also b-side tracks. You’re Buying Nothing is a great addition for fans of The Young Maths but not the best representation of their best sound. To really enjoy The Young Maths at their best, listen to Thank You, Goodnight! and turn the volume up loud. This band has got “it” and if they continue as a band, we expect nothing but good things. Whether or not the band sustains their momentum or not, El Valle should be proud.