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Pop-rockers A Cursive Memory have been around and under the radar for the past couple of years, but they’re finally attempting to breakout with their full-length debut Changes. A laid-back Southern Cali feel permeates the entire album, which is no surprise given the bands South Bay origins. Changes is pleasant and summery with just enough shining tracks to make it a solidly good effort.

If we’re going to play the comparison game, ACM would be the lovechild of electronic outfit HelloGoodbye and piano-rock quartet Something Corporate. They’re sure to land under the all-encompassing “emo” umbrella, but Changes is more melodic with a strong piano focus courtesy of classically-trained  keyboardist Mark Borst-Smith. Tracks like the aptly titled Piano Song hinge on Borst-Smith’s emotive playing to lend a believable desperation to lyrics like “If I could turn the clock again/ It’s the same three words I wish I’d never said/ The one phrase that breaks a heart in two/ Cuz angel I love you.”

Changes is very much a “young” album. It’s not a criticism, however, because such exuberance is entirely appropriate for ACM, a band whose members are fresh out of high school. They adopt an innovative, effervescent sound that utilizes (but doesn’t abuse) 80s-style synthesizers and electronic blips. The music itself lifts their sometimes unimaginative lyrics making them sound genuine and relatable.

The album’s only misstep is that only about half the songs can be called great. The second half of Changes seems to lose its personality and appeal which is a shame given the enthusiasm of other tracks like Tonight Lites. Over a synth-heavy melody singers Shaun Profeta and Colin Baylen coyly request “Let’s get this on tonight/ We’ll turn down all the lights/ We knew it felt so right/ Even if this is just for tonight.” A personal favorite, however, is Lions. Though its hard to pinpoint, there’s almost an element of R&B to the teasing, drawn-out vocals on the slo-mo song which gives yet another dimension to the album.

ACM’s Changes is an animated alterna-pop album full of wistful yearning and youthful hi-jinks. The best songs are great and the worst are decent, which averages out to a good album from a band just beginning to make their mark.