It’s easy to take floral print for granted. Their ubiquitous presence in Atlanta’s DIY scene over the past few years has only been surpassed by their consistent songwriting, thanks to a breezy chemistry that pulses from Nathan Keele Springer’s tender vocals and Paul DeMerritt’s organic drumming. Though the group’s 2017 LP Mirror Stages (Tiny Engines) proved their ability to harness frantic energy into more measured songs, it still relied on the jarring shifts between explosive emo and meandering jazz that characterized their early work and live performances.

front cover of floral print EP.

Precisely because of this history, the group’s new self-titled EP becomes an opportunity to view their evolution under a microscope. The spacious pacing isn’t especially surprising given it was teased to a certain extent on Mirror Stages. It’s more notable simply because the EP is a more succinct expression of the band’s experience in refining their sound and taste.

Still, even if this progression is easily traceable, the EP doesn’t make for a predictable listen. This is still a floral print record, and the addition of Joshua Pittman on bass does nothing if not accentuate the ensemble’s ability to jump from extemporaneous jams to driving rock. Though emotional intensity might be their sonic calling card, the group’s pastoral sensibilities are equally responsible for keeping their sound fresh and enticing over the past five years. Interludes like “Vermillion” and “Breeze (Reprise)” aren’t just filler, they function as contemplative breaks which cleanse any hints of melodrama that might lurk in the stereotypically emo moments of the album.

If anything is lacking on the EP, it’s the dancey zeal so cleverly harnessed on Mirror Stages—a manic verve which hearkened back to the organized syncopation of XTC. In contrast, this is a far more pensive affair, and it’s hard not to wish for a few of Springer’s densely-packed pop hooks to challenge the record’s steady mood. However, despite the lack of cacophonous energy, the rich maturity of these few tracks makes it well worth the time it takes to delve into Springer’s psyche of sensitivity and wonder. floral print have always been about feelings being formed into sound, and while the mainstays of restlessness and angst remain, here they’re smoothed over with a tremulous sense of acceptance. Which is maybe all that any of us can hope for when we find ourselves caught between the present and the future.

floral print will celebrate the release of their eponymous EP tomorrow night, Aug. 7, at the Casa Nova alongside Shepherds, True Blossom, and O Key. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $7.

More Info
Bandcamp: floralprint.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @floralprintmusic
Instagram: @floralprintofficial
SoundCloud: @floralprintatl
Twitter: @floralprintband