Rhode Island’s Heaven’s Ex debut with an eight-song self-titled album that should become available through Inkspot Tapes soon-ish, and it is well worth seeking out. That is, if you’re into post-hardcore that hits hard emotionally without forgetting to leave plenty of room to breathe.

For me, a big part of Heaven’s Ex’s appeal is that they constantly keep you on your toes. The band refuses to settle into predictable patterns. Whether that’s a conscious choice or simply the sound of musicians still discovering exactly what they want to be, I’m not entirely sure. I suspect it’s the former, these artists far too skilled and experienced to be messing around, these songs far too confident to be accidental.

Opener Circles sounds like Waxahatchee fronting a Dischord Records band. Next comes Wide Awake, an indie punk ripper that brings RVIVR to mind, while Never Try stands out for the emotional push and pull between hushed restraint and explosive release. If this is what people mean by modern rock, sign me up.

And then there’s Jillian Kay. Saying she can sing almost undersells it. She doesn’t just carry these songs, she fills every line with shades of emotion that make Heaven’s Ex feel deeply human, signaling that there always is something on the line to fight for or care about.

Throughout it all, Heaven’s Ex never plays it safe. Every song carries the feeling that this band is fully invested, willing to follow an idea wherever it leads instead of taking the obvious route. We all benefit.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp