Alternative Rock: Autumn Lights - Autumn Lights (2012)

78 / 100

Polished yet intimate, Autumn Lights delivers romantic, melody-driven alternative rock with a calm charm, echoing shades of The Script and even local Indonesian alt-rock vibes. Backed by top-tier mixing and mastering, this three-track release proves that even a small band can shine brightly in the indie scene.

Although based in New York, the small band known as Autumn Lights left me struggling to find any close resemblance to the musical characteristics of bigger alternative rock bands—partly because it’s been a long time since I’ve listened to that scene, and it feels increasingly difficult to pinpoint comparisons. Their music relies solely on the three main instruments of a band, not particularly energetic, with no added electronic-flavored variations or the like—leaning instead toward a calmer style with catchy, romantic melodies. It also reminds me of the average model of local Indonesian alt-rock.

Brian Kapler, who is also part of The Revue, brings a similar vibe to both his projects, and his singing in "Kick Drum" and "Your Heartbeat" drives me crazy because I’ve definitely heard that kind of vocal nuance somewhere before—that's "Surga Cinta" by Ada band! Still, the only band that feels most familiar as a comparison here is The Script. 

Interestingly, this self-titled recording containing three songs by Autumn Lights was handled by two notable figures: Scott Gross (former guitarist of From Autumn to Ashes) for mixing and engineering, and Mike Kalajian for mastering. Mike Kalajian himself has worked on hundreds of albums, such as Cigarettes After Sex – Affection, Against the Current albums, even Saosin – Along the Shadow, so the audio quality of a small band like Autumn Lights can’t be doubted in terms of polish.

Therefore, even though they’re just a small band, Autumn Lights prove themselves to be a fiery little chili pepper in the alternative rock scene—more than worthy of reaching many more ears.