Viridescent has been pumping out new music so quickly! This time it's the single Saturday, the group's cover from the jazz-pop septet Couch. The University of Vermont a cappella group captures the joy of the song, but doesn't quite put its stamp on the single.

Soloist Lydia Bunszel sounds lovely, showcasing rapid, athletic singing, deft melismas, and beautiful belting. The group — whether emulating horns, backup singers, or parts of the rhythm section — sounds gorgeous. I love how the voices move through the notes with direction, whether it's a long tone or a rhythmic ostinato. As I wrote this review, I found myself grooving with each successive listen (even after the eighth time!), which speaks to the group's vocal and emotional energy on the recording.

The arrangement, written by Joe Hazell, closely follows the original's dense texture along with the song's basic arc. However, a cappella groups have to go the extra mile to sound excellent on these facets of sound. With such a thick texture, you really have to delineate for the audience who we're supposed to be listening to, both in the arrangement and especially in the balance. Unfortunately the balance is a little too flat on this release. Additional distinctive changes to background vocals in the oft-repeated chorus sections in the back half would give this track more of an arc and make the climactic moments more impactful.

As I wrote about for the group's most recent EP, I'm thrilled to hear the growth with each successive recording from Viridescent, with an elevation in the arrangements, sound, and recording each time. I'll be awaiting future releases to hear even more improvement and how the singers craft that distinctive "brand" as an a cappella group.