Golden Mixtape

In the summer of 2011, I was introduced to PK and their album, Into the Roaring.  Initially, I gravitated towards their music if only because their single, “London,” contained lyrics about my favorite beverage – ginger ale. My fondness for them quickly progressed like an arson ignited fire on the side of the 5, after our interview was completed and posted. Inevitably, a romance between PK and I blossomed, so you can only imagine my excitement when I learned about the release of their latest EP, The Lost Boy Sessions.

“I Know,” was the first track I encountered on the record. It begins with a slow splash of Travis serenading the listener with, “Darling, I’ll be leaving…I don’t want you. I don’t need to.” Sounds pretty dismal, right? Yet the bouncy pop drums kick in, and suddenly that moment of heartbreak is replaced with a more infectious and traumatizing occurrence – the chorus. Already I can hear the audience scream back to the stage, “I know, I know, I know that you want me!” (And, oh, I’m sure the answer is pretty clear, we do.)

The energy that propels The Lost Boy Sessions is never exhausted.  This small collection of music is what the young summer sounds like – cool summer nights by the beach, friends, bonfires, and well…you can’t have bonfires or friends and not have a story or six to tell, especially if you only learning the pains of growing up. “Some Nights” and “Chase the Sky,” captivate this atmosphere best. Not only is the musicality of the EP revitalizing, but the lyrics are equally bright. While they’re not poetically complex, (though the band is heavily influence by literary themes), their candor is what makes them so accessible; everyone can find themselves in a PK song.

Despite the constant comparisons to The Killers, PK’s lead vocalist, Travis Hawley, offers his own voice to the music industry. Hawley’s rang has matured since last year; his vocals on The Lost Boy Sessions are often times vulnerable and chill-sending. The breakdown in “Berelain,” is a superb example of these moments when the music is stripped and only a voice fills the air.

“How long must I wait?” Well, The Lost Boy Sessions drops May 29^th! Light the tiki torches and start your summer off with a dance to keep that broken heart beating.