Last time Brooklyn’s Kittens Ablaze were around, they released The Monstrous Vanguard. How was it? Good enough for us to name it as the seventh best album of 2009, beating out the likes of Pearl Jam, Jay-Z, Depeche Mode, and Them Crooked Vultures. Now they’ve returned two years later with the Branches EP, a record that doesn’t hit the heights of their last, but it’s still undeniably great. All five of the songs here feel focused and every instrument refined to a precise degree. But it’s also a warm, emotive journey that can drag you into a melody and never let go.

It all begins with the foreboding beat of “Branches”, a rhythm that builds upon itself as time goes on. Jenny Bress’ violin and Michelle Young’s cello are sharp and strong, pulling against the grounded, dark drums. Tim Spellman’s vocals rise from a hyperactive rant during the verses to an ascending shout in the chorus. The entire song feels like it’s constantly growing, even though the tempo and pitch stay level. “Glass Moon” is a musical sister to the opener, zeroing in on the classical instrumentation. The driving strings create the feeling of running down an open street at night in the rain. The snappy drums of Ben Bynum add in a danceable bounce while the vocals are distorted through a transmitter. The breakdown during the chorus is sublime. Rapid, clacking taps provide the beat while the strings gradually grow louder, like a boulder rolling down a hill.

On the other side, there’s the tranquil “Ferocious Teeth and Claws” (gotta love irony). This slow-tempo melody combines caressing guitar picks and melancholy strings to create the feeling of floating down a river at night, looking at the stars. This instrumental slowly adds in more elements to complement the picture. Maraca shakes are like leaves blowing in the wind. The tiny keyboard touches are the stars twinkling in the sky. “Airport Song” and “Nice Wings”, while not as impressive, round out the EP nicely.

With the band’s current pay-what-you-want scheme and the album still streaming, there’s no reason for you not to check out Kittens Ablaze. If you listen to this record, you’ll hear a flourishing, vivid experience that solidifies this group as one of the best up-and-comers on the scene. Can’t wait to see what comes next.