Radio For June - 'Where Home Was' (EP Review)

South Carolina  Indie Rock outfit Radio For June release their new 6-track EP, 'Where Home Was'.

Radio For June is the project of brothers Stephen and Thomas LaVine who have taken a very DIY approach in writing and recording all (but one) of the instruments and vocals that feature on their new EP.  'Where Home Was' draws on several influences across American and English Indie Rock/ Indie Pop from Copeland to Bear's Den, to The 1975 to Lydia.  This means each track on the EP has a warm familiarity to it - all the while showcasing Radio For June's unique style of brooding, examining songwriting and their ear for catchy melodies and spacious atmospherics.

EP opener 'A Minor Maze' has a defeated romanticism about it but it's a great track to kick off with. It really showcases the versatility the band are capable of, as the dynamics change from gentle and tender, to impassioned vocals and boisterous crashes of sound that places the track on the emo tinged side of the Indie Rock spectrum.



Radio For June quickly switch it up in follow on track 'Mountains' weaving  a nostalgic 80s inspired rhythmic groove through the track. EP closer 'Dysania' displays a powerful frailty, before that romantic, indie rock slow song feeling comes into play again and on the track the band explain:

" 'Dysania' is a song we wrote about stopping to love and be, despite the overwhelming worry, chaos, and anxiety that life can give us."

'Where Home Was' is a raw and authentic offering that doesn't hide behind production frills. Radio For June let their talent and diversity speak for themselves, holding their rough edges up against gorgeous melodies. These guys understand that their songs do not need to be polished and shaped to a ridiculous level of perfection. It's within the organic nature of each song where the power and truths lie.  I really like these guys and I hope you do too.

Words of Karla Harris 

Listen to 'Where Home Was' on Spotify, here.