If there was one album that encapsulated the summer of 2013, it’d be San Cisco’s self-titled debut full-length. The Australian quartet, led by guitarist/vocalist Jordi Davieson, have successfully shrunk the sunny months into 37 minutes of pure indie pop bliss.

On the surface, each of San Cisco’s 13 tracks could be its own summer anthem. Jovial guitar riffs and buoyant keys bounce from song to song, making each one sound catchier than its predecessor. But if you listen closer, you’ll notice that there’s more to these tunes than just catchy melodies. There’s a darkness to these songs that can only be detected through careful listening.

Davieson has admitted that he uses his lyrics as a way of venting, and as a result what comes out tends to be sad or sinister stories stemming from personal experiences or emotions. Because of this, the words that accompany the album’s playful instrumentation lean more toward the macabre, though masked by infectious melodies. Upon first listen “Hunter” sounds like a Vampire Weekend B-side, but listen closer and realize the hunter and the prey are both human. And behind the sunshiny guitars of “Lyall” hide gruesome stories about a bashing, a predator and a drug addict.

However, though the album’s lyrical content is less than cheery, the entire package is a collection of infectious dance-inducing tunes. The first and most notable single, “Awkward,” is just the tip of the iceberg with its simple indie pop structure and sing along lyrics (really, who doesn’t want to sing along to “do-do-do-do do-do-do do-do”?). “Wild Things” is sure to get stuck in your head as drummer Scarlett Stevens coos “Try to stay away from where the wild things play,” atop crashing percussion and xylophone, and the garage pop meets doo-wop styling of “Stella” will make even the most drab person want to dance.

Though this is San Cisco’s debut, the Aussies had a lot to prove after the overnight success of “Awkward,” and the full record lives up to its hype. A good indie pop album should be a part of every music lover’s collection, and San Cisco is just that.

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