Kevin Bronson on January 31st, 2012

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On last year’s “Plains of Id” EP, the Ross Sea Party embraced the modern folk-rock aesthetic of songs built on big melodies, agitated rhythms and gang harmonies. As the L.A. quintet of singer-guitarist Brady Erickson, guitarist Mark Tillman, multi-instrumentalist Will VanderWyden, drummer Michael Baumer and keyboardist/glockenspiel player Jacquelyn Thropay embark on their next release, they’re refining that formula. The two-minute blast “Thunder” is more like lightning, with ticklish guitar parts and rattling toy drums beneath the (now-familiar in indie-rock) chorus of “whoa-oh-ohs.” It’s worthy of a shout-along, and so concise you won’t wear out your voice.

||| Download: “Thunder” (via Bandcamp, e-mail required)

||| Live: The Ross Sea Party plays Feb. 28 at the Echo with the Dead ships. They also perform Thursday night at the Copper Door in Santa Ana.

||| Previously: “Broken Arrows”

Photo by Nick Maggio