The Parlor Mob has been obscenely slept on. In an alternate universe—or better yet, the near-future of this one—the Asbury Park, N.J. band, known for dispensing classic-style riffs with a modern approach, will be taking over the world and headlining festival stages. If last night’s set at Hamden’s Space Ballroom was any indication, their new album, Dark Hour, should take them to soaring new heights.

Ahead of the album’s August 16 release (via Brittania Row Recordings/BMG), the band opened for Reignwolf, previewing new tracks and melting faces with older faves. While rock has seen many forms since the aughts when the band formed, The Parlor Mob continues delivering their signature style backed up by stealthy on-stage charisma and bluesy croons. One could say the band is for fans of old school rockers like Zeppelin or Rush, but they’re far more talented to simply be labeled as Classic Rock revivalists. The new tracks deviate from vintage sounds, toying with synths and R&B elements thanks in part to a new collaboration with producer Malay (Frank Ocean, Zayn), founder of Brittania Row.

“We aimed to add modern perspective to old school musicality,” singer Mark Melicia said in a statement. “We asked ourselves, ‘How can we bring rock ‘n’ roll into the current zeitgeist, so it reflects what’s going on in other genres?’ We embraced dynamics, tones, synthesizers and textures more synonymous with hip-hop or R&B production than rock. The duality extends to the lyrics. We were exploring the idea that light and darkness run through everything and exist for everybody. On all of the songs, darkness outlines the light moments as hope and light outline the dark portions.”

This duality was well-represented live. While the new songs thankfully don’t make the egregious leap that Kings of Leon or The Black Keys made, the Mob certainly seems to be building towards a bolder, more accessible stadium sound. But that’s not to say they’re going soft. Opener “House of Cards” could’ve fit anywhere on the band’s previous effort, Dogs, while lead single “Someday” pulses with electronic sounds amid scorching guitars and sassy lyrical swagger. The title track for the new record also came out to play, starting with low-key buzzy synths and rising to a powerful crescendo that bordered the edges of psychedelia.

For those hoping to hear the older jams, the band ripped through “Into the Sun” and “American Dream,” two of the set’s best, before closing out with “Everything You’re Breathing For” and “Hard Times” off of 2008’s And You Were A Crow.

For a 45-minute opening slot, The Parlor Mob flexed major muscle, their versatility on full display all while exuding a presence that was both cool and collected and high-octane without any air of pretension or arrogance. With its new tracks seamlessly complementing the older catalog, The Parlor Mob proves it’s possible to carve out new directions without totally restructuring its sonic DNA.

Check out the latest video, tour dates, Dark Hour tracklist, and photos below. 

The Parlor Mob – Someday (Official Video)

SOMEDAY single out now – https://theparlormob.lnk.to/Someday DARK HOUR album pre-save – https://theparlormob.lnk.to/DarkHour Follow The Parlor Mob: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theparlormob/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/theparlormob Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparlormob/ Website: https://www.parlormob.com/ Directed and Edited by Corey Asraf Cinematography by Jeff Melanson and Zephaniah Ohora

See you guys this fall with @_dealcasino_ and @danluketheraid. Tix on sale this Thursday at 9am EST

644 Likes, 67 Comments – The Parlor Mob (@theparlormob) on Instagram: “See you guys this fall with @_dealcasino_ and @danluketheraid. Tix on sale this Thursday at 9am EST”

The Parlor Mob – Dark Hour Track List

1. “All I’m Holding Onto”
2. “House of Cards”
3. “Someday”
4. “Setting with the Sun”
5. “Gun in My Hand”
6. “The Spark (Interlude)”
7. “Dark Hour”
8. “So Low”
9. “No Harm”
10. “Not Your World”