Reason

X Ambassadors' third EP, 2014's The Reason, showcases more of the New York City-based outfit's soulful electronic pop. The EP follows up the group's equally as magnetic sophomore EP and Interscope debut, 2012's Love Songs Drug Songs. The Reason also comes on the heels of X Ambassadors' collaboration with Jamie N Commons, the 2014 single "The Jungle," which was featured in a widely viewed commercial for Dr. Dre's Beats by Dre. As with previous X Ambassadors releases, The Reason showcases the yearning, sanguine vocals of frontman Sam Harris, framed with swaggering yet well-articulated bombast by keyboardist Casey Harris and guitarist Noah Feldsuh. Included on The Reason are such cuts as the searing "Free & Lonely" and the Alex da Kid-produced "Shining." ~ Matt Collar