Modern Outsider

If Ume’s pulsating rock songs resonate with a deep familiarity it’s not because the Austin, Texas trio’s second album is derivative. Exactly the opposite: The group – led by powerhouse singer/guitarist Lauren Larson – has merged the sounds of heavy rock and ethereal indie pop with deft precision, finding new ground somewhere in between Warpaint, Metric and Mogwai. The sense of familiarity comes instead from the skill of the songwriting – tracks like metal-tinged number “The Push” and static-heavy rocker “Run Wild” are hooky without being poppy, hefty without being weighty. The layers of propulsive rock leave expanses of instrumental space and dulcet vocal melodies on songs like the haunting acoustic closer “The Task” or Mogwai-ish “Hurricane II.” All with an intimacy that exists on the first listen.