Musically, the tune is funky while moving, highlighted by a delicious groove anchored by bassist Evan McPhaden. Tender and soulful, it’s one of the album’s lyrical gems. “Underlyer” has seen plenty of stage time, but from the studio the song takes on a whole new life with a slightly different tempo. New nuances, subtle changes, and microscopic effects take some of the band’s newest songs and turns them into some of the band’s most laser focused studio work to date. It’s a theme that is present in all four tracks.

Best in Show presents like a musical onion, revealing something new every time you listen. It leaves room for exploration upon each subsequent listen. Production on the song, as well as throughout the entire album, is thoughtful and subtle. The band and producer Dan Brace of Sonic Farm Studios find a way to build depth and layers into “Don’t Do It” that surpasses the way the band already deposits the song’s structures live. Kicked off by the infectious opening track, “Don’t Do It,” Best in Show is a shining example of how Aqueous uses time in the studio to expand on their signature live sound. The resulting EP, Best in Show, is a four song reflection not only of the band’s time without a permanent drummer, but also a glimpse into the band’s future as Houk melts into the Aqueous groove with fluid rhythm that feels as if he’s always been here. After a national search, drummer Rob Houk joined the band full time and the quartet headed into the studio. Shortly after the release, the band’s founding trio found themselves struggling to keep a pair of sticks behind the kit. It’s been almost two years since Buffalo groove rockers Aqueous released their fourth studio effort, the acclaimed Cycles.

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