Question: What do Carly Rae Jepsen, Rush and Game Boys have in common? Answer: They’re all muses to Crying, a New York-based trio with a penchant for epic rock whimsy. Over the past three years, the band — comprised of vocalist Elaiza Santos, guitar/Game Boy manipulator Ryan Galloway and drummer Nick Corbo — has staged a rapid ascent, transforming from a bunch of geeky, music-loving SUNY Purchase undergrads to rising power-pop darlings practically overnight. Don’t let Crying’s name fool you, by the way: They're by far the sunniest, most hunky-dory act in rock right now — so much so that it’s a bit baffling they’re currently signed to Run for Cover, a label known for heavier, moodier acts such as the Wonder Years, Modern Baseball and Tigers Jaw. Such is the nature of today’s pop-punk scene — anything goes, including Game Boys.

Now, Crying are making their biggest play yet with debut album, Beyond the Fleeting Gales. The LP’s every bit as lackadaisical and nerdy as the band’s prior work (2014’s Get Olde and Second Wind EPs, two shots of 8-bit adrenaline), but with a noticeable uptick in confidence, as well as some overt ’80s arena rock worship. The band has described Beyond the Fleeting Gales as a nod to “’80s era Rush, when they embraced more pop” — and judging from the sound of “Wool in the Wash,” the album’s synth-storm of a first single, they’re not lying (although the track’s strutting guitars position it closer to KISS — or at least, KISS after eight hours of listening to “Call Me Maybe” on a loop). Santos’ layered, dulcet alto is the perfect complement to her bandmates’ grooves — particularly Corbo’s playful percussion, all glittering triangles, whistling wind chimes and crisp snares. It's the first song in ages (perhaps ever) to invoke video game soundtracks, sprightly new wave, and cheesy glam rock at the same damn time — and it's awesome.

Crying’s new album Beyond the Fleeting Gales is out October 14 via Run for Cover. 

CRYING ON TOUR
Oct. 5 — San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
Oct. 7 — Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
Oct. 9 — Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
Oct. 10 — Missoula, MT @ The Badlander
Oct. 11 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby
Oct. 12 — Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
Oct. 14 — Burnsville, MN @ Garage
Oct. 15 — Chicago, IL @ Metro
Oct. 16 — Detroit, MI @ El Club
Oct. 18 — Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct. 19-20 — Boston, MA @ Sinclair
Oct. 21-22 — Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
Oct. 23 — Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar
Oct. 24 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex
Oct. 25 — Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Oct. 27 — St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
Oct. 28 — Lawrence, KS @ Granada
Oct. 29 — Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective

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