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The Helio Sequence haven't quite been hoisted into the spotlight by the indie music scene, but their new album Keep Your Eyes Ahead is a sure sign that they are willing to do it themselves if need be.  The Portland, Oregon band's sound is unsurprising, considering the myriad influences the region has offered them, and they have settled comfortably into a landscape of dreamy indie folk-pop.  While the blending of genres may be a mouthful, the Helio Sequence have tightened up their tunes on this fourth effort, focusing on a cohesive whole that is more pleasing and impressive than anything else they have done.  That being said, fans of previous efforts may be surprised and a little disappointed in the lack of emphasis on electronica throughout Keep Your Eyes Ahead.

The band's new sound doesn't ditch the electro-indie bits, but molds them into more nuanced entities with warm, reverb laden guitars, concise drumming, and the soothing, familiar voice of Brandon Summers.  Summers doesn't dominate the instrumentation but soars with it, adding emotional fragility to the sense of nostalgia and adventure that the album induces.  Here even the most minute detail can become an integral part of the track, and this is never more evident than on the slower  tracks Shed Your Love and Broken Afternoon. These tracks ditch the synthesizer for a more folksy feel, throwing instruments like harmonicas into the mix.  Despite this distinct sense of depth, these tracks act as hang-ups for the rest of the album.  Despite the evident craftsmanship these songs feel more like the result of a split personality, and stand as melancholic epitaphs in an otherwise uplifting garden.

The Helio Sequence's strength lies in the upbeat songs, where electronic beeps and boops accompany layers of reverbed guitar for a dynamic sound that is fresh and entertaining.  Heavy hitters such as Can't Say No, The Captive Mind, and Keep Your Eyes Ahead  employ towering lead riffs, catchy melodies, and synths that border on retro.  The songs aren't as experimental as the band's past efforts, and it has definitely payed off here with a sound that is simultaneously tighter and more mature.  Even with the handful of boring moments, Keep Your Eyes Ahead is entertaining and catchy enough to be a worthwhile investment for any fan of the Pacific Northwest indie scene.  If this album is any indicator of where The Helio Sequence is headed in the future, we have much more to look forward to in the future.