While listening to “Possibilities”, the latest EP from the up and coming Austin, TX outfit Saints of Valory, there’s sort of a parallel to watching a movie like “October Sky” or perhaps even “Cool Runnings.” First is the overwhelmingly optimistic aesthetic that no matter where you are bound to geographically, barriers and obstacles can be conquered to work at NASA, win a bobsled race, or in Saints of Valory’s case, sell out the big arenas. Second is the slightly more subtle revelation that everything is based off a true story. If you’re not aware of Saints of Valory’s history, essentially this is a new band consisting of four members each hailing from different countries and have traveled all over the globe to eventually come together and chase their dream of world tours and crowds reciting their choruses back to them. The stars have aligned for Saints of Valory this year, signing to Atlantic Records, touring alongside big names, all while gearing up for their full length debut “Into the Deep”. “Possibilities” is a collection of four songs from a band that has bigger aspirations, a bigger budget, but still seems determined to take things further.

The EP kicks off with “Kids”, and right away you can envision the arena spotlights and hand-held lighters. The comparisons to other globally recognized bands are unavoidable. Saints of Valory is sonically a collage of mainstream rock-pop bands ranging from Coldplay to My Morning Jacket. Lead singer Gavin Jasper channels his inner Chris Martin over choruses of “OOOOOO’s” while guitarist Godfrey Thomson’s textured effects allude to The Edge. “Long Time Coming” again emphasizes the use of “OOOOOO’s”, not that it’s unnecessary, but more suggesting these songs were destined for audience participation. “Neon Eyes (Into the Deep)” is the most subdued sounding song of the alternative pop collection but wins the prize for catchiest chorus, while the EP closer “Back Up” has an understated country stride to it. Each song on “Possibilities” contains a basic design of gradual build up through the verses until releasing an array of guitar layers on the chorus, then gently ascending back to the ground.

Lyrically, “Possibilities” plays out like a coming of age tale. “Kids” begins with a flashback to innocence and simpler times. “Long Time Coming” is about realizing potential and acting upon it. “Neon Eyes (Into the Deep)” doubts the sincerity of happiness around him, which in turn is used as motivation, and “Back Up” puts everything into perspective by focusing on the cohesive theme of never giving up, the basic blueprint of the EP. 

“Possibilities” is less of an isolated EP on its own and more of a trailer for what we can expect from their impending major label debut “Into the Deep”, slated for a late 2013 release. The presence of Grammy winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, Jason Mraz) is evident, and he does a great job capturing the inspiration Saints of Valory portrays through each song. There’s not much range in style or substance within these four songs, but what’s evident is the overall confidence that convinces the listener that any one of these songs could break through commercially. This isn’t music for moody rockers or egocentric integrity, it’s simply for smiles and fun and hair flailing in a summer breeze, or winter bobsled, depending on when you listen to it.