Eternal Summers have grown in size and sound on their sophomore record. On Correct Behavior, the duo of Nicole Yun and Daniel Cundiff are now reaching the lower notes thanks to new addition, bassist Jonathan Woods. The shift in dynamics certainly brings the three-piece closer to their influences: The Sundays, Smashing Pumpkins (when they were good) and Yo La Tengo feel like guiding spirits here.

So while the group’s debut, Silver, wasn’t exactly groundbreaking, I liked its indie aesthetics, post-punk edges and delivery of trebly pop. But I think I prefer what’s filling Correct Behavior. I get a sense of 90’s indie nostalgia rushing over me the minute opener Millions breaks in with its bright-sided guitar riffs and Yun’s pretty vocal tone. Both sit atop the welcome bassline and steady rhythm.

The fuzz pedals are switched on for the skybreaking C86 beauty You Kill, the guitars spanning the song’s waves, continually coated with a heavenly distortion, as Yun’s voice flies high within its contagious chorus.

Throwbacks to their debut are still welcome; I Love You has a certain Deerhoof quirkiness amidst the trebly strums and cooing vocals. Meanwhile Heaven and Hell falls into a thick mist of gaze and dreamy reverb. OK so we’re moving through several genres at some pace, but there is a thread, as the group’s enthusiasm keeps the set upbeat and excitable.

Eternal Summers have embraced everything pop with an open heart and wide-eyed gaze – it makes for a record you’d feel bad criticising such is its likeable approach. And while it may not be up there with some of the indie-pop gems it alludes to, Correct Behavior has still given me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

-Zac Cohen-