It begins with fresh, clear strums of a guitar, and then the beat of the drum comes in, steadily reeling the listener in to the catchy tune. “Monet” is the first track on the self-titled EP by the band Numans, and with its upbeat mood and clever lyrics, it’s a great start to the album.

The band is composed of four members from around the Triangle: Theodore “Teddy” Wilson, on guitar, synth and vocals, Austin Morel on guitar, Andrew Scott on bass, and N.C. State’s own Lucas Kessler on the drums.

The energy from the guitar in “Monet” continues throughout the rest of the album. Maybe it’s just that the album art includes a car, but this is an album that I would love to take on a road trip. I could listen to this album driving down the road for hours with the windows rolled down on an adventure, even though the song “Seattle” talks about taking a plane or a train.

Thoughtful lyrics that will catch you by surprise are sprinkled throughout the album. You’ll have to listen to it a couple times to catch them all. “Monet” even references Charles Darwin and Rachel Ray, though those certainly are not the last of the clever lyrics on this album.

All of the songs begin with a bit of guitar, except for the last track, “Lonely City.” Instead it begins with the sound of the drums (though quickly accompanied by the guitar soon afterward). Despite its title of “Lonely City,” it is the perfect beginning to a late-night anthem of friends, a uniting feeling furthered later in the song with what seems like the chant of crowds singing in response to Wilson.

“Much of the inspiration for the EP came from what was going on in our worlds at the time that the songs were being written,” Kessler said. “All of us were going through major transitions—some good and others bad—and I think that the EP somewhat reflects how we saw ourselves and others.”

Kessler said “8 AM,” which is the second song on the album is his favorite. 

“It was one of the first songs we performed as a band and has changed the most since being written,” Kessler said. “It’s simple, but really fun to perform live.”

The album has an overall indie feel with its crisp guitar and deep bass. 

Numans’ self-titled EP dropped Dec. 15 and is free through the website bandcamp (www.numans.bandcamp.com).