Aloha are hard to put a finger on, not out of an inexplicable nature, but sheer diffuseness.  The band is not based in any one city, but instead with each of the four members in a different one (Boston, Brooklyn, Cleveland, D.C.).  Their higher indie-rock is likewise difficult to grasp, but still enjoyable to listen to.  With fifth album Home Acres, the band wisely adds pressure to give some substance to their sound, but it can still prove a little formless.

Opener "Building a Fire" introduces the push forward, to an otherwise almost-twinkle that creates a singular piece.  The pressure often comes in a higher procession, such as with the speedy "Moonless March" or the somewhat colorless "Everything Goes My Way", but the smaller "White Wind" brings a nice change to the sound in the middle of the record.  Press isn't present throughout all of Home Acres, but while the sweet "Microviolence" is catchy, the soft "I'm In Trouble" is the record's least gripping number.

And that is Home Acres's flaw: it's so nice as to wash right past you.  There's very little to find wrong about it while listening, but also not enough to recall once it's done.  Aloha need more diversity in any given piece; they do it well on "Blackout", with its sunny indie-bop with sadder loss undertones, as especially closer "Ruins", which has an interesting indietronic beat to its alt-bright press, but those are still exceptions, not the rule.

Still, Aloha have definitely taken a step forward by pushing forward (perhaps the burgeoning solo career of Brooklynite drummer Cale Parks - QRO photos - had something to do with it...).  If Home Acres were the first full-length from a new band, one would be impressed and couldn't wait to see where they would go next.  Aloha's trajectory is on a much slower simmer, but simmering nonetheless.