Summer Girl EP

Released in 2010, the Summer Girl EP serves as a quintessential bridge in Family of the Year's discography, refining the indie-folk sound that would eventually lead to their mainstream breakthrough. Recorded during a period of rising interest in orchestral and communal folk-pop, the EP stands out for its sophisticated vocal arrangements, which utilize heavy layering to create a signature 'choir-of-two' effect between the male and female leads. Sonically, it moves away from the more experimental edges of their earliest work toward a highly melodic, radio-ready indie pop sound. The title track and 'Feel Good Track of Rosemead' exemplify their ability to pair upbeat, major-key instrumentation with lyrics that touch on isolation and the passage of time. Critically, it was noted for its 'sweet like honey' texture, a descriptor that has followed the band throughout their career. This EP solidified their reputation as masters of the 'end-of-summer' aesthetic, blending the warmth of 1970s folk-rock with the crisp production standards of the early 2010s indie scene.