Toronto based band DIANA recently released an eight track EP spanning a brief 35 minutes that offers a gentle and well produced approach to a pop music. Perpetual Surrender kicks off with slow and dreamy opener “Foreign Installation,” but the EP soon evolves into a searing and smooth listening experience. It’s a quiet storm of an album that offers a fresh approach to pop music, drawing inspiration from 80s synth and electric guitar, while offering a new sound altogether. The haunting and beautiful vocals of lead singer Carmen Elle are supported by the thoughtful and well-crafted musicianship of the band. This forward thinking album doesn’t rely on the past however, featuring well placed drum and bass sounds, along with strong travelling bass lines nods its head to the futuristic sounds of electro soft rock. Perpetual Surrender finishes up the same way it began with a lulling and warm sound on their final track “Curtains.” Without a doubt, this soul searching album is poised to garner attention for DIANA and win them many new fans. (Jagjaguwar, jagjaguwar.com) Jeremy Johnson