By: TJ Liebgott
November 2, 2011
4.5/5

High School, the followup to We Are The City's debut album In A Quiet World, is an introspective journey into one's past and the growing pains associated with moving on to the next chapter in one's life.  The EP consists of songs that were originally supposed to be a side project of the band, which they called High School, but were later recorded as a We Are The City album.

High School consists of six songs of atmospheric, progressive pop songs that on the surface seem straight ahead and simplistic, but are actually complex and intricate compositions.  Songs like "That's It, That's All" contain exaggerated breaks of silence that are filled with as much power and intensity as when all the instruments hit their crescendos.  

Produced by Tom Dobrzanski (Hey Ocean!, Said The Whale), who also produced their debut and their upcoming album, High School is very reminiscent of their previous material.  The album is filled with shimmering guitars, gorgeous piano work and hauntingly beautiful vocals.  High School almost has a live feel to it with minimum instrumentation and overdubs.  And when the drums kick in, you could almost swear they were in the room with you.  

It's hard to pick a standout song from High School since all of the tracks are just as great as the one previous.  Bottom line, if you enjoy even one song, you will love this entire album.  Fans of We Are The City will not be disappointed.