Fang Island's unapologetic 2010 posi-rock debut was famously described as "everyone high-fiving everyone." Alas, man cannot live on high-fives alone; palms chafe, and the gesture eventually loses its magic. With its sophomore record, Major, the Brooklyn group has expanded its palette to include handshakes and hugs. Whereas a Fang Island classic like "Daisy" was a constant stream of bottle rocket explosions, the slo-mo build of Major standout "Asunder" causes its climax to break the sky open like a laser beam straight out of an Independence Day UFO. The signature skin slaps are still present, but now Fang Island makes you work for them.
Alternate Uses For the Album Major: Sonic answer for that "meaning of life" question, curriculum for college "Music Appreciation" classes, hold music at suicide-prevention hotlines.
