For someone who writes about music on a semi-regular basis, I very rarely actually listen to new music. Not that this is odd for me; I always prefer to stick with what I know rather than try something new. But sometimes, even when I may not actively be searching for new music to listen to, I hear a song that so immediately hits me that I have no choice but to go and listen to everything the band has to offer. Such is the case with Leapling.

The first song I heard by Leapling (“Alabaster Snow”) is actually on their upcoming album (due out in May), but they did have a prior release. Which brings us to “Vacant Page”: released in 2015, it contains multitudes upon multitudes of various different styles. From the more atmospheric sounds on opening tracks like “Flesh Meadows” and “N.E.R.V.E” to the jazz pop chord progressions of “Going Nowhere” and “Slip Slidin’ Away” to the more standard sounding alt-rock on “Crooked” and “In Due Time,” Leapling have an excellent sense of style.

“Flesh Meadows,” while technically the second track on the album, is more of an opener than “Negative Space,” the song preceding it. The guitars shimmer like air off hot pavement, bass and drums keeping the song steady while the vocals thread themselves through the instrumentation like needle and thread. Lead songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Dan Arnes’ voice holds many of the songs together, his gentle tenor coo giving the songs a relaxing feel even if the instrumentation gets a little jagged.

“Crooked” stands as one of the best tracks on this album to show off Leapling’s style. Its five minute run time passes by in a breeze of fluid and melodic basslines, interesting drum patterns, and just-rough-enough guitars; the melody is catchy enough to get stuck in your head and distinct enough to pique your interest. “Vacant Page” as a whole gives off a sense of undeniable familiarity, but it remains unique enough to throw in a few surprises.