It’s been three years since Boston-based/beloved People Like You put out the experimental post-punk music it’s known for. But the band’s new single, “Variations on an Aria,” along with the announcement of an LP called VERSE, definitely justifies the wait.

Out on July 28, VERSE will be the band’s first release since signing with Topshelf, and second full-length record. Expect more of their finely-honed jazzy/math-y sound, but don’t assume that you know what to expect. With the addition of vocalist/pianist Michi Tassey, trumpet player Matt Hull, and Animal Flag guitarist Sai Boddupalli, VERSE defies genre. While Tassey’s soft & empathetic vocals will sometimes take the lead, Chris Lee’s punk roots also transform songs unexpectedly. And just as their hooks become easy to absorb, drummer Sander Bryce sneaks in a beat that’s completely different, or Hull sprinkles an extra layer of depth with his horn.

photo by Elle DioGuardi

Thus, “Variations” works perfectly as their first new single to highlight these improvisations in sound and perspective. People Like You, who formed in 2014 out of the ashes of I Kill Giants, are themselves just another variation. And that’s what makes them unlike any other.

Listen to “Variations on an Aria” streaming below, and sign up here to get notified when pre-sale orders are up! A portion of the proceeds from this album’s pre-order sales will be divided equally and go directly to The Trevor Project, The NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Planned Parenthood.