Bess Rogers - Presents Bess Rogers

Forget about any hint of self-absorbed navel-gazing when it comes to Brooklyn singer/songwriter Bess Rogers' sharp-edged new EP Presents Bess Rogers (September 7) -- any remnants of ponderous soul-searching are happily checked at the door. It's also abundantly clear from the range of Rogers' five new songs that while she'd like you to hum that melody or dig into the lyrics, she'd also request that you get up and break a sweat. Dance, headbang, strap on that air guitar, but move, please. We think it probably has to do with her variety of musical stages: from playing guitar in Ingrid Michaelson's band to rocking with indie band The Age of Rockets, Rogers' brings a welcome blast of energy to her own upbeat songs. "I'm not afraid to take risks with my music", she confesses, "and that's exciting."

The first whiff of commotion comes quickly as lead track -- and first single -- "Come Home" immediately establishes a vibrant, propulsive pace. As the drums kick hard and the guitars stretch from twinkley jangle to tougher riffs, Rogers' sing-along chorus takes you out of your mental chair and pushes you out the door. Even on the lovely folk/pop harmonies and acoustic strum of "What We Want" there's an insistent tug of spirited, tightly coiled intensity. And when things break wide open in the powerpop anthem "Favorite Day", it's clearly time to either dive in or get out of the way. We would, of course, suggest the former. Highly recommended.

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Bess Rogers - "Come Home" (from the EP Presents Bess Rogers)

Bess Rogers - "What We Want" (from the EP Presents Bess Rogers)