“It’s no secret that Instant Empire is a band with a masterful command of the English language … Instant Empire has always been the sort of band where storytelling has functioned as a primary instrument, and it’s just as clear as ever here (on Standing Eight Count).”

“The lyrics of “Paper Thin” are included in this post. They are masterful!”

“Tiny Flashes” by Instant Empire is a wall of vocals encaptured in some dark and brooding songwriting. The vocals are compelling and the lush arrangement is consistently ear-catching. Check out “Tiny Flashes” for some next-level indie rock.”

“Instant Empire are anthemic on their recent Tiny Flashes. This infectious indie rock design recalls the work of The National. Elite melodic movements bring surprise and variation. The driving tempo tags the post punk influence. That history is updated with an indie sensibility known to recent indie rock. We also hear evidence of the Hold Steady in the vocal style. Altogether its a sure thing for indie rock fans look to get back to the turn of the century glory days.”

“Quite wisely, Instant Empire avoids the navel-gazing lo-fi stylistics that are still en vogue in the indie world, and instead does well in emphasizing the *rock* in ‘indie rock’.”

“Sonically, [“Keep Up!”] is the band’s most aggressive to date and finds the band in league with contemporaries like The Hold Steady, The National, The Mountain Goats, Death Cab For Cutie and Desaparecidos.”

“Keep Up! is the head on collision between Manchester Orchestra and the jagged guitar work of Desaparecidos. It’s as much of a rock record as can possibly be crammed into ten minutes. Raw enough to come from a garage, but with enough foresight to set itself apart from the standard EP.”

“The song (Mind the Gap) is melancholic and touching without being melodramatic. It is quite the triumph in songwriting.”

“From a great deal of musicianship, energy and some catchy songs Instant Empire have the whole package. We’re looking forward to listening to their latest album and watching as their success and fanbase grows.”

“Instant Empire sets the modern American struggle to sound.”

“On the new EP, the band went for a huge, wide-open sound - and succeeded. The new release is filled with big, arena-ready tracks, so it makes sense that the group has drawn favorable comparisons to Death Cab For Cutie.”

“Dripping with ambition and driven by personal history, the five local storytellers craft big ideas into big arrangements while never taking the focus off the stories themselves. Dotted by nuanced rhythm and expertly paced melody, the six songs on this sophomore release narrate brief moments of punch-drunk love, summer ennui, habitual betrayal and the search for personal identity.”