Pop-rock band Jule Vera just released their debut album "Waiting on the Sun" on Weekday Records. I started listening to Jute Vera back in 2015 when they opened for Against the Current. Their debut EP "Friendly Enemies" was a great look into what this band is all about, but "Waiting on the Sun" is an even better taste at what Jule Vera has to offer the music world. The band is on the Vans Warped Tour all summer so I highly recommend checking them out if you're going to Warped Tour.

The first song on the album is called "Show Me," a cute love song about planning for the future with someone. Singer Ansley Newman and guitarist Jake Roland have been dating for years and are actually engaged now! I love the lyric "making plans for yesterday". The song is pretty much talking about how scary planning for the future is but if "you show me what you mean" it's all possible. The song has a really cool guitar solo thing in the middle. It's a good song for the start of the album. It's not the biggest stand-out song on the album but it's a good way to get the listener into what this album will sound like.

Next is "Something Good," which is definitely one of my favorites. It starts out with just a piano and Ansley singing and then gradually builds into this really fun 60s or 70s vibe. The chorus is is incredibly fun with nice beat behind the piano. It's one of those songs where the music is fun but the lyrics aren't actually that happy. It's about wondering "when something good gonna happen to me." Lyrically, it's one of Jule Vera's best songs, especially considering what a young band they are.

Track 3 is "10,000 Hours." The verses are a little eerie and then the chorus kicks in with just Ansley singing and a drum beat. This is one of Ansley's best vocal performances on the album. At the end of the chorus, a funky guitar riff comes in, showing the musical creativity on this album. The songs seems to be about chasing after something, but you just can't get to it, thus it takes "10,000 hours" to get there.

Next is "Bad Company," a fun song that starts out with a simple guitar line. It seems to be about knowing you're not good for someone but you continue to stay with that person despite the problems. The end of the chorus has a really weird guitar riff, I can't even describe it but it's something I've never heard before. Along with "Show Me," "Something Good," and "Lifeline" (the next song), this was released early before the album came out and it definitely has the potential to be a great single for Jule Vera.

Track 5 is "Lifeline," which was released back in March as the lead single. It gave us a taste into what Jule Vera were working on for this new album. I was a little underwhelmed when I first listened to it but now after hearing the rest of the album, I think it's a great song and fits really well with the album. The song has a really great message. It's basically about not letting the lifeline decide your fate. You decide your own fate and nothing else can. We may not always know where we're going in life, but we can get there on our own. Our fate is up to us. I'm really excited to hear this live at Warped Tour.

Next is "Porch Swing," which is just Ansley singing and a ukulele. It's a really nostalgic song, reminiscing about growing up and "just wasting time, you and me, on your momma's rusty old porch swing." This more laid back song is perfect for the middle of the album. This song has such a campfire vibe and it's so cute I love it.

Track 7 is "Cruel Life." It's probably a breakup song and that karma is gonna come back around to this person. It's a pretty mellow song but it has another weird guitar thing at the end of the chorus, this seems to be a recurring theme. I like this song but it doesn't stand out too much to me compared to other songs.

Next is "Running." This is the most rock song on the album and I LOVE IT. The chorus is so powerful and fun, and I'd imagine this song would be incredible live. I can't find the lyrics anywhere because it's not up on their YouTube channel yet and AZLyrics seems to think Jule Vera doesn't exist but this is my favorite musically. It's super fast paced and just brings a lot of energy to the album that was lacking on other songs.

Track 9 is "Waiting." It's a really soft piano ballad and it's absolutely gorgeous. It's a song about not wanting to be alone and it makes lots of references to the album title "Waiting on the Sun." Ansley sings "I'm the only one searching for the sun but I don't want to be alone." Jule Vera are very good at ballads. Just check out their song "Scarlet Letter" from their EP "Friendly Enemies." Ansley's voice is incredible next to the piano and sometimes just a piano is all you need in a song.

The final song on this album is "Can't Help." It starts out with Ansley singing and just a drum beat. A piano comes in later on and the chorus has a very indie feel. The lyrics are similar to "Bad Company," where you know someone isn't good for you but you stay with them anyways. It's a super funky and catchy song and it's a perfect ending to a solid debut album.

Jule Vera are an incredibly young band so this debut LP is just the beginning for them. They're already on the main stage at Warped Tour so their future is looking very bright. I can't wait to see where this album takes them. "Waiting on the Sun" gets an 8/10 from me.