Some bands do a great job of growing on you. For me, Deerhunter has been one of those bands. Back when they released their first album, Cryptograms, it seemed that everyone got it–and was freaking out about it–except me. The whole poppy/ambient split that everyone loved? Not so much. The album seemed disconnected and boring.

Then they released the Fluorescent Grey EP. I bought it on a whim because I was tired of hearing about Deerhunter all the time and not loving them. It seems more than a bit ill-advised, but you know what? Fluorescent Grey is easily one of the best EPs I’ve ever listened to. It’s haunting, raucous at the right times, concise and clean at others, and beautiful. A brilliant 16-minute nugget of swirling guitars and ethereal voices. That collection of four songs is better than their entire first album. So I guess it’s not so much that the band grew on me, but that they became really fucking great in a short amount of time. I was hooked from there.

And guess what? Their third release, Microcastle, is almost as perfect as Fluorescent Grey, but two and half times longer! Not to mention the fact that when the album leaked on the internet before its proper release date, the band went ahead and recorded a whole new album, called Weird Era Cont., to release paired with the leaked one. Is it as good as the proper album? Of course not, but it’s still way better than most of the “albums” released by “bands” that the kids “like” these days.

So, once again, way exceeding expectations and generally kicking ass. Thank you, Deerhunter.

Next came Rainwater Cassette Exchange. Another EP, not nearly as good as Fluorescent Grey but still very listenable and certainly not offensive. A clear step in a new direction, too, so… fantastic. What’s next?

Yes, everyone’s been waiting. Deerhunter’s got a new album, Halcyon Digest, slated for release in September. Guess what? They just released the first single from it.

It’s called “Revival.” It’s the fully realized vision that Rainwater hinted at. And it’s completely comfortable in its skin–jangly piano and acoustic instruments, playful percussion, all very clean and poppy and Beatles-esque (especially the electric guitar at the end). Melodic, economic. Not a second wasted–the quick fade even cuts off the last chord–and so compelling that I just listened to it four times. The production is crisp and warm. For a brief 2:13, everything shines.

It’s another perfect specimen of the sub-two and a half minute pop song that the band does so well (see also: “Like New,” “Rainwater Cassette Exchange”). I will continue to listen to it until I finish editing this post. I will still enjoy it.

You should, too: “Revival”