Abandoning his solo career, singer-songwriter Dan Smith formed the band Bastille. Out of London, Bastille released its debut album Bad Blood in the United States, Sept. 3. With a unique sound and an indie-pop style, Bad Blood is an instant hit.

Claiming the number one spot at Alternative Radio for their first single “Pompeii”; the biggest selling debut album of the year so far in the U.K. with almost a quarter of a million sales; and the first Platinum album of the year in the U.K.; it’s safe to say that Bastille is the new up and coming band.

The style of Bad Blood is somewhat hard to describe, considering it pulls on rock, pop, indie, and alternative influences. Some songs like “Overjoyed” begin with a soft, simple piano background and gradually incorporate hints of techno. From the upbeat, fast-paced sound of ‘Pompeii’ to the slower, more somber sound of “Oblivion” the listener is sure to be kept entertained.

The eighth track on the album “Oblivion” can be described as simply beautiful. This song is nothing less than a work of art. Beginning with a soft piano melody, violins are gradually introduced as the song progresses. Ending with an orchestra-like sound, “Oblivion” is by far one of the most intricate and appealing songs  I’ve heard in a while.

Also featuring three bonus tracks, “The Silence,” “Weight of Living, Pt. 1,” and “Laughter Lines,” Bad Blood continues to impress with no two tracks sounding the same. Some bands that try to produce an indie sound end up with 10 tracks sounding strikingly similar, with maybe a few interesting sounds sprinkled in. However, Bastille offers an inviting twist with all of their songs.

The music video for ‘Pompeii’ has more than 36 million views, which is no minor feat. If you listen close, the heartbreaking lyrics, “And the walls kept tumbling down in the city that we love. Grey clouds roll over the hills, bringing darkness from above” quietly contradict the song’s optimistic beat. The video depicts Smith running from demon-like people with black eyes, trying desperately to escape the city. After traveling through deserts to mountains, in the end, the so-called darkness catches up to him and turns him into a demon as well. The video is interesting and unpredictable, considering that I thought he would escape the evil to produce a happy ending, as many music videos do.

I would give this album 4 out of 5 stars and am already eagerly awaiting what else Bastille has in store. They’ll play at The Pageant, Dec. 13.