Left Here Alone is a collection of songs Faunts created between their first and second releases, Feel. Love. Thinking. Of., and M4, but unreleased until now. The songs and release contribute to the public evolution of the Edmonton quintet’s songwriting. This post-rock record is pop-rock played in slow-motion, drenched in reverb and delay. The EP mood is set by opener “Alarmed,” establishing the band’s atmospheric drones, airy vocals, and slow, slow builds. Indulging in each part until satisfied, Faunts adds hooks one at a time, ensuring no part goes unnoticed. Regularly creating a gorgeous contrast of warmly distorted guitar melodies soaring above an orchestra of drones, this EP carries you through numerous builds, fades, highs and lows as it seamlessly transitions from one song to the next. Don’t expect the builds to culminate into anything out of control—every time you expect them to step into genuinely loud territory, the band backs off. The EP closes beautifully with the title track, a haunting piece that is propelled by a sensitive chord progression supporting an ultimately uplifting vocal melody washed out in the mix. Despite few memorable parts, Left Here Alone is a great atmospheric post-rock record that carefully carries the listener through an emotional story in the perfect amount of time. (Friendly Fire Recordings, friendlyfirerecordings.com) Darcy Penner