Strangers You Know makes music that is not quite like anything popularly released this year. Titled “Something to Someone,” their six-track EP shows promise and an ability to cross genres smoothly.

Comprised of Grady Lee (vocals, guitar), Adam Haagen (piano, guitar, vocals, banjo, mandolin), Dakota Dobbin (Drums) and Sjors Van Alphen (bass), Strangers You Know is made of literal strangers. The four are described as vaguely “brought together by chance” in their official biography.

For strangers, they make great music together. On their shorter and pop-influenced songs, such as “Be It” and “Into You,” the group relies on catchy lyrics and surfer rock sounds.

They sound vaguely like the Beach Boys, Danger Radio, Grizzly Bear, Band of Horses and Cute Is What We Aim For—all at once.

This group still has not quite hit their stride, however. With all those influences, it’s hard to pinpoint their personal sound.

“Be It” would surely be the main single of the EP if it was a full length album and was promoted properly. A strong bass beat with a great tinkling harmony line back up the punch line of “I don’t want to act fine / I want to be it.”

The California surfer groove is most apparent here. Being from Los Angeles, it makes sense that the lead track on the EP reflects that sound.

“Smoke And Mirrors” has great harmonies and a clapping beat that syncopates against the melody. It describes falling for “motion picture lies” and how the band’s “only company has been this movie screen.” Life, apparently, is not like a movie and they sadly “got caught up in the smoke and mirrors.” For such a catchy song, the lyrics have a deeper message.

This band does not come across as fake or self-involved. Their assurance and finesse are rare qualities in the current soundscape.

“Other People” is a raw track on which the lead singer’s girlfriend says “see other people.” This “unlove song” is the response—the response being that he’s “seen other people and they don’t look like you.”

With scooping harmonies and a great saxophone solo, “Other People” is a biopic with a great sonic palette.

Franz Ferdinand (the band, not the Austrian archduke) would be proud to have this song in their catalogue.

The songs on “Something to Someone” feel deeply personal, even though the name of the EP and the idea of the band mates being strangers do not reflect that same personal quality.

“More Than We Have” and “Central States (Idaho)” are five-minute elegies with an electro edge and a Sufjan Stevens-worthy openness, respectively. On “Central States (Idaho),” the line “I can hear the sound of pine needles collecting snow” is evocative and dreamy. This track, in particular, is one to get lost in.
Strangers You Know shows incredible promise for a happenstance band. Sonically pleasing and with just enough depth, their EP is worthy of a long drive and some mild lyrical obsession.