Sell The Heart Records – Release Date: 3/5/21

Earlier this month, Decent Criminal released a three-song single, called DC/EP. These songs represent a noticeable shift for the band, as they’ve embraced new influences and further developed their songwriting. The first song, “Drifter,” begins with a hazy, atmospheric intro. Its verse exudes ‘90s alternative and segues to a quiet bridge before the chorus comes crashing in at full volume. The head-bopping hook is extremely infectious and likely to be stuck in listeners’ heads for days. “Reap” is a super-catchy entry with a modern Motown vibe. The inventive bass playing is the most prominent aspect of this song and it takes the lead during the chorus. Here, the bass lines bob and weave around the vocals, creating a unique melody and an especially distinctive sound. “Bizarre” is a no-frills banger, mixing power pop with classic rock ‘n’ roll tendencies. Despite being just over two minutes long, they manage to include a lot of impressive subtleties in a short amount of time. On DC/EP, Decent Criminal sounds like a band who’s ascending to a new level. With each of these tracks, it’s clear that the members are working together and doing what’s best for the song, rather than trying to be flashy. It’s that sort of unselfishness that lends itself to great songwriting. If this is any indication of what to expect from their next full-length, then fans should start to anticipate something special.