Many artists desire to reach a point where their art is not only heard by many but also deeply appreciated; in the case of Grammy award winners Switchfoot, they are without a doubt heard and appreciated to the highest degree. Preparing for their ninth LP Fading West, they are giving listeners a sample of what's to come with the Fading West EP.

The EP opens with the rock anthem "Love Alone Is Worth the Fight." As a whole, it walks the line of "classic" and "fresh" sounding for Switchfoot. Lyrically, it is what many have come expect and appreciate about the San Diego quintet; the powerful declaration of love being the driving force behind who we are as humans. Musically, its stacked vocals and very creative use of synth and organic sounds make it sonically rich and very approachable.

This is followed by the rhythmic "Who We Are," featuring, as shown in the Fading West film, the voices of the band members' own children. If you're looking for an enjoyable track with a flair for pop, this track is perfect for you, especially as Foreman sings, "We know… Who we are (in the fever of our youth) who we are (We've got nothing left to lose) who we are (There's still time enough to choose) who we are!" The sound has a very summer-like feeling, so for those who may desire some warmth in the upcoming chill of winter, you will find solace within this song.

"BA55" is most definitely the most eclectic sound for the guys and is definitely a standout track. The grittiness of the bass and low-fi sound of Foreman's vocals give the song this dark and dirty sound to accompany Jon's lyrics of redemption, "I want a fire that can burn me clean… and let my soul fly." It might not be what listeners expected, but it will most likely be what keeps their attention.

Concluding the physical copies of this short release is the b-side title track, "Fading West." While by no means is it a horrible listen, it just doesn't match the direction of the other tracks so it is understandable as to why it will not be featured on the full-length release. Its sound is catchy, warm, and inviting; it also has the potential to become a fan favorite that only true 'friends of the foot' will understand.

As a whole, the EP is a great prelude of what's to come from Switchfoot. The only real letdowns are that it is so short and that these tracks (other than the title track) will be on the Fading West LP; thus the release will really only be 9 or so new songs. Regardless, if this is a taste of the future, it's going to be a sweet day on January 14th. Until then, this'll do Switchfoot. This'll do.