On their Deep Elm Records debut, Italian four0piece Ethienne displays a keen eye for pop song writing, yet struggles to find a main focus on The Old And The New World. Regardless of a lack of cohesion throughout the tracks, there’s plenty of positive things happening. A weak opening track is followed by the eccentric “Ultrapop!” which weaves through Phoenix-esque electric-rock and displays the greatest thing that Ethienne has going for them: a pair of musicians with stellar voices. Front man Filippo Pietrobon croaks low notes with rough poise (often resembling The National). Juxtaposed bright wailing backup vocals, the mood created ranges from haunting to emotionally electric moments of dark indie-pop. Even though Ethienne is classified as indie-pop, they often tamper with a grungy and heavier rock sound, lending to the often confusing musical focus in The Old World And The New World. But regardless, there’s a slew of strong tracks on this album.

If you’re into The Bravery, I would give Ethienne a listen. Their heavy brand of indie pop holds its own amongst any respectable rock band out there. My only qualm is that I wish they would have taken the entire album in one thematic direction.

(Deep Elm Records, 210 N. Church St, Suite 2502, Charlotte, NC 28202)