ROMN, a three-piece from Germany, showcases vast versatility with their debut EP, MMXV, that was released July 3 via Very Us Records. The energetic, endlessly buoyant first single on it, "Collide", served as a fun introduction to the upcoming powerhouse, but it didn't give nearly enough insight into the inner-workings of the colorful ROMN machine. MMXV, their four-cut debut offering, reveals just how multifaceted the act truly is. "Traveller" is the first hint at a more somber surface as it immediately conjures up images of the lone traveler beneath grey skies, voyaging off into the unknown for perhaps a greater purpose. It's a cliche notion at first, but ROMN crafts the somewhat dreary, piano-driven open letter with a patient, building electronic soundscape that keeps an edgy appeal throughout. The latter half of the EP lies somewhere between the dichotomy of the former two tracks, and "Kissin the Fist" and "Cause You Care" are both darker tracks with slow-burning, electronic production. "Kissin the Fist" will make you ponder as it crawls along with undeniable seduction and palpable attitude, and the latter piece reintroducing a vocal softness that reconfirms ROMN as a welcome new player in the dark, electronic-pop space. Purchase MMXV on iTunes now, or stream it all via Spotify.
ROMN