Album review: 'Somnium' 

Walrus Junction

'Somnium'

Self-released

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From the opening seconds of "Somnium," the upbeat energy of the music clings to you like a welcome scent. Walrus Junction makes the kind of well-crafted, melodic rock that might be easy to discredit as pop pleansantries, but the subtle intelligence of the songs makes them hard to forget. With clear structures and accessible, toe-tapping grooves, the band ostensibly dares you not to dance to this five-cut EP.

That said, it's the lead vocals of Ignatius Marino and Tanner Kartes that elevate the music with a charisma that's downright seductive. In his upper range, Marino's tenor voice is incisive but smooth on "Blood on the Streets," while Kartes' soulful croon sells the jazz-tinged balladry of "Ghost Town."

"Somnium" is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, and Apple Music.