Heartsounds combine the precision of their metal roots with the melody and speed of punk rock to offer their take on the ‘80s and ‘90s bands they grew up listening to. The band formed in 2009 and caught the ear of Brett Gurewitz, whose Epitaph record label was home to bands they admired like Hot Water Music and Gurewitz’s own Bad Religion. Heartsounds were signed the following year, and full-length debut Until We Surrender followed soon after, introducing listeners to their catchy, earnest delivery and contrasting call-and-response vocals. They returned in 2011 with the sophomore album Drifter, a more mature and technical effort showing the bandmembers’ growth as vocal and musical arrangers. ~ Chrysta Cherrie