Priory - “Weekend” SXSW 2015 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 8 Pairs Well With…San Cisco, twenty one pilots, Magic Man
Reading back on my 2012 writeup of Portland rock/pop band Priory makes it immediately clear that the last few years were ones of reinvention to a bigger, hook-heavy sound. “Weekend” and its accompanying EP are cleanly produced (it’s their first on Warner Brothers) and pull in elements from big-tent dance pop, mainstream rock and party hip hop that were unseen on the band’s folk/electronic 2011 debut. I personally prefer their earlier sound, but what do I know - “Weekend” proved to be a bit of a hit for the buzzy duo. SXSW 2012 Review: Priory describes themselves as “electro folk” on their website, but that descriptor is far too limiting. The Portland band has more of an anthemic pop vibe than anything else. Their songs build majestically much like the buzzy Of Monsters and Men, using folk purely as a starting point to their acoustic and electric sound. It’s catchy pop for sure, but there’s enough complexity that it warrants a deep listen. Almost like a more upbeat Modest Mouse, Priory adds a ton of depth to every hook and break. Bells and whistles (literally) are peppered through key track “King of Troy”, a patient anthem that sounds incredibly mature for a young band.
