Apropos of an EP titled Polarized, the Buffalo Chips definitely have a very distinct musical point of view.

And especially in collegiate a cappella, that's no small accolade. There are more than there used to be, but more groups focusing on interpretation and invention and less on musical reproduction are always most welcome.

It can be a risky proposition. If you give the audience what they believe they already want to hear, what they are familiar with, what immediately "clicks" in their brain — and if you do it well — you've got them hooked. The further you stray from the beaten path, and invite them to come along with you, the greater the risk of getting lost, but the greater the potential adventure as well.

Now Polarized doesn't actually get too crazy in that regard — and really, how crazy can a three-song EP get altogether? But this is one of those offerings that comes along every now and again where I have to acknowledge the process, even if I'm not all that in love with the result.

In the plus column, two of the three songs offer significant departures from their source material, and I will almost always applaud that effort whether or not it proves to be successful. The extended, slowed-down first half of Sweet Disposition feels a bit more like a well-executed music assignment for an arranging class than a meaningfully realized interpretive choice. But it's surprising and unusual, and the song has my attention for a while until it meanders its way back to the original feel (only to abruptly abandon it again). The much-less-cool, much-more-muscular/in your face approach on still feel. would not have been my personal choice; but for what it seems to want to be, it is. Also to the album's credit is the very shiny production work from The Acaproducers. Whether it's the group's affinity for fortissimo or a conscious mixing/mastering choice (or both), there's a very clear aesthetic — loud and forward and "ring-y" — being employed here, and it definitely gives the finished work a shiny polish.

And yet, I didn't dig it all that much.

Why? Well, some of the clues are probably already evident above: interpretive choices I don't personally find engaging, and a lack of more nuanced dynamics and variation in tone colors. But it's actually even more than that. Volume does not equal palpable energy, and while I want to believe these performances were enthusiastically delivered in the studio, what I hear is stiff and formal, bordering on robotic at times. Nonsense background syllables are rendered almost as lyrics rather than as sounds to create texture, and in several more exposed moments, some of the consonants chosen feel like they were selected purely for variation rather than effect. To be clear, it's not that there isn't energy at all; it's just that the energy feels manufactured and artificial in its relentlessness.

Like the arrangements presented here — which also seem afraid of empty space and moments of calm and quiet — the group itself would be well-served to remember that "polarization" implies an opposite, a contrast. I could use more of that from The Buffalo Chips. Instead, I admire the effort but it leaves me cold. Almost "polar".

Polarized delivers a feel good and animated listening experience that uplifts the listener's spirits, whether it's going full throttle or taking a more subdued artistic approach. While the three-track EP by the Buffalo Chips has a short run time, the songs are infused with life, youthfulness, and enough confidence to leave a good impression.

EPs can be a blessing and a curse for artists. On one hand, they're less demanding to produce, keep costs at a minimum, and afford artists the opportunity to test out musical concepts without fully committing to one theme. On the other hand, they have a shorter window to make an impression, are often less promoted, and may not always appeal to one's diehard fanbase that has come to expect a certain sound from the band. All things considered, it's difficult not to be fascinated with the assortment of songs strung together on Polarized.

Polarized opens with a pulsing and audibly pleasing cover of The Driver Era's Feel You Now. The Chips sound like absolute naturals singing alt-pop, establishing a rocking rhythm section that has color and character without coming off as too heavy. This is wonderfully paired with refreshingly light mid and high vocals, adding a polished touch to the track's intensity energy. Hunter Ford's lead flows smoothly over the well-blended backing group to add plenty of appeal. My only criticism is a need for more variance in the latter half of the song, needing a major "wow" moment to bring everything home.

The project dramatically shifts gears with Sweet Disposition, which opens a bit more restrained before methodically playing with dynamics as the song progresses. The build is akin to a slow burn, as percussion isn't fully felt until halfway through the track, relying on the emotions in the vocals to drive the song's momentum. With no lead, the spotlight is placed on the Chips' gorgeous group chemistry, which absolutely flourishes.

And the Chips go out with a bang with a rousing cover of half•alive's still feel. What's most impressive about this track is how it gets better and more engaging as it progresses. Each part performs with an insatiable groove to it, giving off a true zeal for life and a knack for artistry. The mix and editing of the percussion stand out in a major way, keeping the track jamming until the end. And the lead has such a suaveness to his singing, making the track feel and sound electric, effortlessly setting the tone and inadvertently encouraging all parts to push themselves to their limits.

Polarized is the type of EP that not only feels right for today with its positive feel and youthful energy; it also sounds like what you'd expect from a talented bunch of young artists. The combination of extravagant studio production with a killer vocal delivery by the Chips makes this a project that's easy to fall in love with.

I may be missing something; I'm struggling to find what could be deemed "polarizing" from this EP. I just hear three tracks that, while they may have some questionable decisions at times, are a solid set that is very easy to listen to and have on repeat. As far as I'm concerned, that is about as far away from "polarized" as you can get, and I don't think that's a bad thing.

The first and third tracks are the standouts on the release, despite being close copies of the original tracks. Feel You Now has enough energy from start to finish to be a solid opener, but I do wish the arrangement allowed for a little more growth in the choruses to really get the energy to a full 10. The choruses just seem to be sung a little too "pretty" for what the vibe of the track calls for, while the verses have more of an edge and grit. Hunter Ford sings a great solo in what's a sneaky-difficult melody due to some of the jumps, and he navigates these with ease. As for the closer, still feel. is a great way to end the EP; starting with a impassioned solo line from John Bologna (who is also the arranger on the track), the song shows great dynamic range between the verses, chorus, and bridge, and the energy is pretty close to a 10 throughout. I love the distortion that was added to the bridge in post, as it gives the track a little bit more of an edge that is missing from the opener. Finally, on all three tracks, Justin Bowen is consistent and steady with his vocal percussion and really helps set the tone. Well done.

It's the middle track that leaves me wanting a little more, as well as scratching my head. Being familiar with both the original and various a cappella groups covering the track over the years, the beginning of Sweet Disposition threw me off as I didn't recognize the lyrics at all. After a quick Google search, I believe it's a sample from a different song called Mistakes by the group Hippo Campus, but there isn't any mention of it in the liner notes. I do like the creative idea of stripping the track down to more of a ballad instead of the original's rock/techno feel, but this would have been perfectly fine on its own rather than adding in another track somewhat randomly at the front and then never referencing it again. Furthermore, slowing it down seems to take the energy out of this song; it's not moving forward until the percussion comes in around the 2:30 mark. Still, I applaud the group for taking the leap of faith of trying something different. Even if an arrangement doesn't land entirely well with the audience, it's encouraging to see a group and arranger step outside the original and take the time to make a track their own, and I encourage the Chips to do more of this on future albums. Just make sure that next time, everything's cited correctly in the liner notes.

After nearly a decade and a half since the group's last submission to RARB, I'm really impressed with the Buffalo Chips and this extended play; I look forward to a full-length album in the coming years.