Whatever This Is – Ruby Coast Whatever This Is – Ruby Coast (Free Download / Free EP)

While I still find it amazing and progressive when a band gives away their work for free, I’m always a little surprised when I find a stellar, full-length album with high production value available at no charge on BandCamp. Though I had to submit my email address to grab my copy of Whatever This Is by Ruby Coast, I found myself wanting to give more. Certainly, the level of enjoyment I’ve gotten from this album is worth more than my digital footprint.

From the first notes of Whatever This Is, Ruby Coast (@budycoastband) makes a bold declaration that they will, under no uncertain terms, bring up your spirits with their stellar pop tunes and beat patterns. Incorporating light keys, acoustic and electric guitar, and genuine vocals, the ingredients in songs such as “Whatever This Is” and “Liza Liza” are not overly complicated in their nature. The melodies and lyrical construction, though, make them stand out. Simply put, these songs are the type you can listen to again and again without diminishing the overall experience.

The goal here, though, isn’t to make them seem generic. Tracks such as “Plasticine”, with its opening accordion sequence, “Creep Me Out”, with its infectious whistling, and “I Live With Monsters”, with a killer synth sequence, all add an incredible amount of color to the tracks overall. Even without these flourishes, though, the catchy, melodic guitar riffs are enough to impress on their own.

Unfortunately for me (and pretty much everyone), the band doesn’t have any current touring plans listed. I suppose it’s my own fault. I should have been born Canadian and discovered the magic of Ruby Coast when they were touring at the end of last year. Alas!