If you’re going to throw your hat into the overcrowded ring of melodic alternative rock and be in with a shout of not getting sucker punched, you’d best bring your A game. Thankfully Veridian do precisely that, as they confidently swagger on to the scene like seasoned pros with their debut EP, ‘40826D’.

‘Headlights’ opens proceedings with a vibrant slice of alt-rock with a poppy undercurrent and a firm nod in the direction of Fall Out Boy. They stake their claim on their own terms though, with some nice twists and turns to the arrangement as they play around with the instrumental texture. ‘Ink’ follows with a slightly nostalgic air, and although the big chorus is as feel good as it comes, Veridian aren’t totally obvious. Instead, they manage to slip a little invention into the latter half of the song, weaving in some heaviness under the layers of melody, which probably adds some substance to their live set.

‘Follow’ and closing track ‘Sleep a Little Better’ offer up more fine examples of their brand of sophisticated alternative rock/pop; they’re delivered with confidence, are slickly executed and are quite simply great tunes that are highly listenable; their appeal is obvious. Sandwiched in between is the atmospheric dark pop of ‘So They Say’, which builds layer upon layer to a massive chorus and makes for a brilliantly worked song, showing plenty more depth than the average contender.

This is a band that have done their homework and listened carefully to their influences, yet are attempting to put their own mark on a highly competitive genre. Getting anywhere in such an overcrowded scene is a tall order, but with songs as good as these in their armor, Veridian are surely in with a shout, delivering one of the best melodic rock EPs of the year so far.

4.5/5

‘40826D’ EP by Veridian is released on 12th May on Primordial Records.

Veridian links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Words by Edward Layland (@EdwardLayland)