Deccan Traps drops new EP

Deccan Traps is a band based in Washington D.C. whose sonic output is formed by musical exploration and led by the creative talents of multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Jasper Hobbs, joined by drummer Stewart Hahn and Derek Fischer on bass guitar. Influenced by a range of styles and genres, the band looks to artists such as The Shins, David Bowie, Lake Street Dive and Willie Nelson for inspiration, resulting in an original sound with wide appeal.

Since their inception in 2022, Deccan Traps has been on a journey of self-discovery, marked by a string of releases that showcase their unique blend of influences. First making their entrance in 2022, they released their debut single “Not Another” which was followed by sophomore track “Radio Silence” before the band’s first EP titled Your Attention.

Returning earlier this year with two more singles, they now bring us their latest release with their brand new second EP, Watching the World. The five-track EP sees Deccan Traps explore various sides of their sonic vision, with each song capturing a different angle of their sound.

Kicked off with “Struck in the Heart,” the EP starts with the rise of bright clean guitar strums as the lively shuffle of drums carries an uptempo bounce. Jasper’s smooth vocal leads spin catchy melodic lines, lifted by lush backing vocals as the song flows through a charming pop-focused indie rock sound full of soulful writing, heartfelt lyricism and memorable hooks.

“Lavender Eyes” follows with a soft tone of gentle guitar rhythm and the overlapping elements of elegant vocals and intricate guitar leads before the song jumps with delicate rhythms. Another superb display of Jasper’s storytelling songwriting, wrapped up in a delightful indie bop with slick guitar work, the song presents a breezy listening experience that’s impossible not to love.

Title track “Watching the World” delivers a graceful sound that slowly drifts with the crisp twang of guitar notes and hushed tap of percussion as Jasper threads mellow leads above. The laid back strike of drums sees the song melt into a mesmeric moment before the charge of crunchy guitars and swell of soaring vocals injects a hazy rock flair before floating back down in stellar ebb and flow to craft a thrilling musical ride that demonstrates the arrangement skills and performance talent of Deccan Traps in dazzling fashion.

“Four in the Morning” brings back the energy with a jumpy hop of rustling drums and grooving guitars, flowing into a slick indie jam brimming with rhythm and blues-inflected aesthetics. The EP closes with “Jack Rose #5,” a buoyant, upbeat outing that serves up an infectious sound of alluring melodies hovering over pattering percussion and guitars cut with warm sax tones to deliver a stunning finale to the band’s sensational sophomore EP.

Listen to Watching the World below