Indie rock from Miami is a concept that never struck me as natural, so when I heard about Modernage and the blossoming indie scene in the tropical, sunny Florida city, I had no idea what to expect. Maybe a little salsa thrown into the chorus? Something as flashy and sunny as the city it’s based?

In actuality, Modernage is pretty much what you would expect from a band that would tour alongside the Stills, Bloc Party and Walkmen, which they did; their new single “Creatures” sums it up pretty well.

The song starts off with melodic guitar riffs, soft drums and uplifting bass lines; catchy and the perfect recipe to hook the listener. Frontman Mario Garibaldi doesn’t exactly croon, but his voice adds just enough roughness and edginess to give the song depth.

It’s a mellow song with a sweet sound, but overall I’d say that “Creatures,” although likeable, is not particularly a stand-out. Other than the fact that the songwriters hail from Miami, it isn’t a song with many surprises as it’s similar to many you’ve heard before.

Hopefully Modernage’s “Sirhan Sirhan” EP, out soon, has more interesting material to offer. Or, maybe, the “Creatures” remix by Ryan Evans is a fresher and sparkier rendition of this indie rock tune.

Check out both ORIGINAL VERSION and REMIX (RYAN EVANS)

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Album Review