Film School have been quietly making their mark for over a decade. Initially, the band was little more than a solo project for lead singer Greg Bertens. Film School has added permanent members since then but never really found the success their music merits — usually finding themselves tossed carelessly into the category of “shoegaze.” While there’s an inescapable influence, Film School is immediately more poppy. The sharp melody of “Distant Life” cuts through the soft distortion. “Bones” is another curveball. It mixes The National with a bit Pavement, whose guitarist Spiral Stairs helped Bertens on Film School’s debut.

Fission also finds Film School flirting with electronica — songs like “Heart Full of Pentagons” sound closer to Hot Chip than Swervedriver. But Film School haven’t left out the dreamier sounds. “Find You Out” soars like M83, while “Meet Around 10” flares with all the grit of Sonic Youth. The band presents a diverse but cohesive collection of songs — but it sounds like they’re still searching for a sound to call their own.

(Hi-Speed Soul, 915 W. Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103)