Volatile and captivating, this Denver act packs every second of their newest EP with musical and emotional intensity. A band on the rise, the quintet has played with groups like Alkaline Trio, the Bravery and Thrice while quickly becoming a staple on the festival circuit (showing up everywhere from Warped Tour and SXSW to the X Games).

In just five songs and 19 minutes, the Photo Atlas proves they have a clear vision for their sound and for what they can bring to the current rock scene. On such standouts as “Jealous Teeth” and “Paper Trail”, the band marries aggressive guitars, percussion that is alternately (sometimes simultaneously) heart-pounding and body-shaking and Alan Andrews’ vocals (a mix of angst, bravado and threadbare emotional transparency) in such a way as to mesmerize the underground rock fan (to whom this record should have great appeal) as well as motivate the average emo kid to step out of their lonely-hearts social network and into a real, live rock club. Promising stuff.

• Multiple songs MySpace