The Revere, Ashia

A power trio that does ongoing multi-character concept albums about romantic identity in the modern age. In the same way that the well-enunciated narrative-filled lyrics pause for anthemic choruses, the jangly rhythm-guitar backgroundstrums ascend into frantic arena-rock power chords. (The EP was co-produced by the guitarist from Sister Hazel, which should give you a good idea of the straightforward old-school rock attitude at work here.) At the risk of using “power” as an adjective for the third time in a short paragraph, Ashia’s title tune (pronounced Ah-shee-ah, with equal emphasis on all syllables) is a power ballad that may slow the pace but actually helps propel what you imagine the plotline to be, and is followed by an even gentler survival-of-the-spirit tune, “I Will Arise,” which at one point erupts into Broadway-intense actor/vocals over classical-guitar noodlings. It’s impressive when a mere four tracks can add up to a interlocking rock statement, like a fucking fugue or something, but will be no surprise to fans of the first Reveres album, The Great City, which first set this epic in motion. A full-length sequel is expected, and required.