Philadelphia-based outfit Young Statues absorb elements of emo and indie rock into an evolving sound influenced by Ryan Adams, Band of Horses, Fleetwood Mac, and R.E.M. After the dissolution of a previous band, New Jersey-bred guitarist/vocalist Carmen Cirignano recruited friends from Georgia and Florida to record a few tracks that would eventually be featured on a self-titled debut. Young Statues was released in 2011 on Run for Cover Records with Tom Ryan (bass), Daniel Bogan (drums), and Steve Poponi (guitar) rounding out the band's initial lineup. Poponi parted ways with the band and was replaced by Matt Weber for their follow-up, 2012's Covers EP, which included their versions of tracks by Billy Bragg, Magnetic Fields, New Order, and Ryan Adams. The next year, the band issued Age Isn't Ours, which featured a cover of Nirvana's "About a Girl." Their official sophomore LP, The Flatlands Are Your Friend, arrived in 2014. Following an extended hiatus, the band returned in early 2018 with the harmonica-infused single "Somebody Else" from their Amarillo EP. ~ Neil Z. Yeung