(Indie Rock, Indie Pop) Mainland - Outcast EP - 2015, MP3, 320 kbps

Combining New York grit with Californian pop sensibilities, Mainland crafted catchy garage and post-punk ditties with a clever eye toward '80s new wave, '90s alternative, and the sonic aesthetic of the early-aughts "The" bands. Formed by three friends from California -- Jordan Topf on vocals and guitar, Corey Mullee on guitar and synths, and Alex Pitta on bass -- Mainland made their base in Brooklyn and soaked up the vibes from direct (and indirect) influences like the Velvet Underground, the Strokes, and Interpol. Their debut EP (with former drummer Dylan Longstreet), Girls Unknown, was released in 2013. However, it wasn't until their 2014 EP, Shiner, that the band's vision started to develop. A blistering -- if not derivative -- four-song set, the EP (named after their preferred Texan brew, Shiner Bock) was recorded in Austin, Texas, with Spoon's Jim Eno. Even though they weren't in the city, the New York sound permeated each track with jagged riffs, head-bobbing beats, and disaffected vocals that would make Julian Casablancas proud. After signing with 300 Entertainment, they recorded a follow-up EP, Outcast, inspired by British new wave and released in late 2015. Produced by Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes) at the former Sound City Studios, Outcast included exuberant singalongs and a funky jagged strut on tracks like "Fading Friends" and "Not as Cool as You." ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Brooklyn-based indie pop rockers Mainland first touched down in 2013, self-releasing several EPs and working the New York City circuit with sets at Rockwood Music Hall, The Jewish Museum and the Chelsea Hotel. But after signing to Lyor Cohen's 300 Entertainment earlier this year, the foursome quickly demonstrated their main stage potential, dropping fire-starter anthems "Outcast," "Not As Cool As Me" and "A Bit Out Of Time," which all showcased their penchant for massive hooks.
Today, Billboard has the exclusive premiere of the band's full Outcast EP (out 12/4 via 300), featuring the unreleased track "Fading Friends."
"This EP represents the four corners of Mainland's polished-raw identity: punk, new wave, pop and disco. We are the underdogs of New York's alt rock lineage. The future," frontman Jordan Topf tells Billboard. "We made these recordings in Los Angeles to capture the roots of the band members with guidance of all star producer Kevin Augunas at Fairfax Recordings [formerly the famed Sound City]. We wanted to shake people up, make their hearts wander, and make them cry, laugh, rebel and dance."
Mainland's upcoming debut full length release is scheduled for early 2016.

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Analyzed folder: /Users/Desktop/Mainland - Outcast EP - 2015
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DR Peak RMS Filename
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DR7 -0.02 dB -8.26 dB 01 Outcast.mp3
DR7 -0.01 dB -8.27 dB 02 A Bit Out of Time.mp3
DR8 -0.01 dB -8.99 dB 03 Fading Friends.mp3
DR7 -0.01 dB -7.47 dB 04 Not as Cool as Me.mp3
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Number of files: 4
Official DR value: DR7