“Hoping And Waiting”, off The Hush Now‘s upcoming sophomore LP Constellations, sees the band progressing in their ability to craft a great pop song. Simple and packed with pop sensibilities, “Hoping And Waiting” shows more promise than the singles off the group’s self-titled debut. The Hush Now’s sunny pop is excellent summer fun.

What’s most surprising about this track is its bridge, which includes a tonal vibrato fit more for opera. The verbose operatic vocals drop out for one final chorus, this time backed by a blaring trumpet true to front-man Noel Kelly’s marching-band background. “Hoping And Waiting” and Constellations will be self-released this October by The Hush Now.

The Hush Now: Hoping And Waiting [mp3]

The Hush Now (MySpace) make melodic indie-pop with two-part male vocal harmonies. The poppy riffs and bouncy percussion and spacey guitars are not really what one would expect from a Civil War re-enactor, or even a Rock ‘N’ Roll Camp Counselor, but The Hush Now has one of each.

It’s funny, how someone like me can think a Civil War re-enactor as nerdy and dorky, yet there’s no question about myself. How is a Rock ‘N’ Roll Camp Counselor different from an obsessive compulsive who collects records—many of which he has yet to play? I guess the difference is public versus private. I can hide my dorkiness behind my front door.

So what about The Hush Now? Listening to the shoegaze-y guitar riff in “Traditions”, I can’t help but think these guys got something right. Maybe I should try carrying ten records around with me wherever I go. Maybe then I could get something right too.

The Hush Now’s self-titled, self-released debut hits soon. Here’s a taste…

The Hush Now: Traditions [mp3]

The Hush Now: Sadies Hawkins Dance [mp3]