DC duo Origami Angel defy all definitions of genre with the eight-song mixtape The Brightest Days, blending ukulele and surf rock with hardcore-reminiscent breakdowns and their signature guitar riffs, sometimes within seconds of one another. While the band is no stranger to experimentation, having released a pair of EPs last year on complete opposite ends of the sonic spectrum from their prior catalog and one another, this collection of songs manages to be eclectic and unpredictable, while still feeling cohesive and recognizably Origami Angel.

Opening with a soft, tender ukulele moment, “The Brightest Days” immediately declares the mission statement of the mixtape. “Where are you, my sunny feeling I knew as a kid? Even on the brightest days, I can’t see where you’ve been” sings a chorus of voices, introducing us to the repeated lyrical theme of recapturing forgotten happiness and attempting to rekindle abandoned hope. The song then erupts into distorted guitar riffs and chaotic drum blasts before pulling back once more to return to a quietly sung final refrain. This jarring shift in dynamics is the key to success in this record’s melting pot of sonic avenues, with songs like “My PG County Summer” opening with a metal-esque riff before the band kicks in with synthesizers and catchy, quirky vocal hooks, or “Kobayashi Maru” ending in a breakdown that could be mistaken for a thrash band if taken out of context.

Taking a more somber approach to the prominently recurring lyrical theme, album closer “Few and Far Between” declares “it’s been raining the whole summer, the brightest days are few and far between” through walls of guitars and slamming drums. Perhaps the most familiar sonic spaces for longtime listeners of the band, these huge sections come to a halt to showcase the band’s technical prowess, with math-rock-inspired guitar leads and fast fills and blast beats from the drums, as can be seen on songs such as single “Thank You, New Jersey” as well. The band finds tasteful moments to put their musicianship on full display, but never appear arrogant, nor do these moments take away from the listenability of the song.

Origami Angel have taken an incredibly difficult task - melding and blending a broad array of genres that theoretically should not work side-by-side - and run with the concept to overwhelming results. They have blended such a wide spectrum of sounds into a thrilling and energetic listen that knows when to pull back, knows when to hit hard, and most importantly, knows how to subvert expectation and create a truly original feeling work of art.

8/10