Album finds new focus for Spirit of the Bear

April 28, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

By Guy D’Astolfo

Spirit of the Bear will unveil its second album, “Remains,” this Saturday with a record-release party at B&O Station, 530 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown.

The Youngstown-based indie-pop act blends electronica with guitar riffs – and even a touch of hip-hop – on the 12-song collection.

James Harker, guitarist- vocalist, said the album works as a unit despite its varied elements.

“In comparison to the last album, the production and the songwriting are both a lot tighter in my opinion, and the ideas in terms of style and lyrics are all more cohesive as an album,” said Harker. “Despite the wide range of styles and genres on the album, the whole thing remains constant and connected.”

The album, he said, represents some of the band’s best work to date in terms of lyrics and musical ideas.

Saturday’s show at the B&O Station will begin at 7:30 p.m. with two opening bands: Warlo and East 9th. DJ D. Diamond will do a late-night DJ set after Spirit of the Bear’s performance. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for the all-ages show.

Spirit of the Bear will hit the road in mid-June for a two-week Midwestern tour that will include gigs in Fort Wayne and South Bend, Ind.; Lexington, Ky.; Columbus, Dayton and Canton. The band also has several festival shows lined up this summer, and a date in Chicago in late summer.