That early-’00s indie punk rock sound shaped by heavyweights like Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes is still pretty dang popular. Just listen to some of the most-streamed rock artists these days and you can clearly hear the reverence. That said, it’s not too often that those newer acts actually invite nuance into their originals; it’s all kind of the same ole formula from twenty years ago. It’s a shame, because there’s a ton of potential there. And given that we’re nearly a full generation removed from the style’s origins, we’re optimistic that there’ll be some fresh takes in the near future.

Now there is a group here in Austin that shows promise for those explorations: Souls Extolled. Born out of a desire to imbue indie rock with ska, punk, and psychedelia, this power trio’s refined their own distinct version of indie punk over the past half decade and three full-lengths. But even by the band’s standards, their brand still hasn’t quite been perfected yet.

That all changes with the release of Souls Extolled’s semi-eponymous fourth LP soulsex, out January 2nd. With the help of producer Chris “Frenchie” Smith, Souls Extolled pushes past their usual comfort zone to revisit their roots in an indie-avant-garde lens and cuts out any fat to expose the group’s core energy, making this record the best representation of their unique character to date. And for those in need of some millennium-era nostalgia that glistens against modern light, get in gear for soulsex with the album’s final lead single “Gold“.

Sporting an arrangement that refuses to grow stale between its anthemic stop-and-start bookends, “Gold” sheds the too-cool-for-school attitude of Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes in favor of authentic and invigorating alt-punk passion. So go ahead. Be judgmental. Because we all know it kicks some serious ass.

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