With summer right around the corner, people of all ages are excited to lose the layers and hit the beach. The smell of sunscreen in the air (and a shit ton of aloe for yours truly) summer entices every one of the senses, especially summer music. Artists love to release their music in anticipation for the warmer more carefree months. For the average listener, it is important to find that one album or artist to relax to on those long summer drives or hangouts at the beach. The Academic is the perfect discovery for this summer-long search.

The indie rock band hailing from Ireland creates a relaxed atmosphere that can get anyone's’ feet tapping and head nodding. Formed in 2013, this band has previously released singles, but this year the album dropped their LP “Tales from the Backseat” which reached the number one album in Ireland back in January. The band consists of four members: Craig Fitzgerald on lead vocals and guitar, Matthew Murtagh on guitar, Stephen Murtagh on bass, and Dean Gavin on drums. They have previously released many different singles and on EP titled “Loose Friends” back in 2015. They are currently signed with the label Downtown.

So why listen to these guys? What makes them different from the hundreds of other indie rock bands scattered throughout the globe currently? What they manage to do is create a sound that brings about a carefree and happy feeling. Often times Indie music can be more somber and frankly depressing, but these guys remind listeners of happier times and times when they felt at peace or just relaxed. This band makes me want to be driving with my windows down singing along with friends, which is what I believe they were going for.

My favorite song on the album has to be “Fake ID” the small riff at the beginning hooks listeners. Like many songs, the singer is in pursuit of a girl, that is holding something back, probably her age, and he tells her to bring her fake ID along so they can get into the club and have a good time, but nothing seems to go right for them. This is something that I believe every young listener can identify with, age restricting them from doing things that they truly want. While I do not condone using a fake ID, the song is very catchy and just an upbeat jam that gets everyone who is listening to it on their feet.

“Bear Claws” was the first song that I listened to on this album and got me hooked. With a certain aesthetic that is very reminiscent of other rock groups like The Strokes and a little bit like The Killers, this song has the pop-esque intro with the vocals, but the guitar solo later in the song reminds the listener they are truly listening to rock, and this combination is what makes this band so endearing and enjoyable to listeners of all different musical tastes and backgrounds.

The Academic is currently touring the The Kooks and will be in Chicago at the Vic on Wednesday May 30th.