_{By Madeline Harris}

This past January, I attended Loafa’s release show at The Boardwalk to celebrate their newest EP, Now What. I’d been listening to this charming, four-piece treat of a release all week, and I can safely say it has headlined the new year in local music for me. It offers a balanced slice of what Loafa is all about and exemplifies perfectly their broad abilities and ideas. It is a synopsis of the Loafa sound: personal, dynamic, energizing, and exploratory.

Now What picks up the listener like an enthusiastic gust of wind and invites them to reflect on nuances of daily life, and what it means to establish oneself in the world. “New Heaven” starts the EP off, establishing the storytelling tone present in the next four songs. Logan’s lyrics are descriptive, transparent, and sung-spoken with a potent familiarity. It feels like a conversation with a good (and brutally honest) friend. The chorus escalates from the verse’s communicative stage-setting and dwells amid the celebratory ebullience and freedom of self-proclamation. The lyrics march melodically in the forefront while symmetrical backup vocals, sung by both Tyler (lead guitar) and Spencer (bass) live, create a consistent and stabilizing listening experience.

“Don’t Forget About Me” comes next and brings with it a hint of Midwest emo, demonstrating their versatility. The guitar becomes more complex and grows airy, calculated, and lightning quick. The lyrics are, once again, candid and to-the-point, and are rounded out by backing vocals that embellish the sound and amplify its charm. Walker’s rich percussion is the backbone of the song and creates an entirely balanced sound. No one element overpowers the other, and the group seems to think and act as one.

The group has a fantastic sense of cohesion when it comes to playfully layering textures and melody. They can independently explore and pursue different paths while never straying too far from the home progression of whatever song they are experimenting with. Especially evident live, the group’s uninterrupted synchronicity and seeming telepathy enable them to balance this polyphony so well. They push boundaries and juggle new sounds that fall perfectly into place.

The third song, “Anthem” is your classic alt-rock (for lack of a better word) anthem, and serves as a middle finger to the boundaries and expectations placed on all of us against our will. The somewhat sardonic chorus bursts into an unapologetic uniformity and beckons the listener to sing along. This track, to me, is reminiscent of ’90s West-coast alt classics, like Weezer’s “Buddy Holly.” The song is palatable and offers wide appeal, while remaining distinctively Loafa.

The concluding track, “Size 12”, is my favorite and is nothing short of epic. The bass immediately provides an irresistibly groove, and layers generously join in their own time. The diversity of shredding textures and dynamic movement is succulent. The bright, distorted guitar on either side of the mix is impeccable and seems to beam with a blatant buoyancy. Once again, Logan kills it with unparalleled expressiveness. You can hear his smiles and believe every word he says whole-heartedly.

The last couple minutes of Now What are an electric showcase of the band’s talent, one member at a time. Tyler’s wailing guitar is ecstatic. Spencer dives into a funky and meticulous slap-bass segment. Walker powerfully sums up the robust energy of the EP on drums before everyone joins in for a final chorus. These guys absolutely nailed it, and “Size 12” is, without a doubt, my favorite song right now.

Be sure to follow Loafa on Instagram. Check out “Size 12” below!