After two years of anticipation, fans finally got hold of the newest album from Cartel, Cycles, on Oct. 27. The band’s newest CD has already attracted attention with its first single “Let’s Go,” an energetic beginning to the fresh album. The album contains eleven tracks, some of which will ring through your head for days after you’ve listened to them.

Lead singer Will Pugh’s voice is why most of the songs are so brilliant. He has what some people would call a “pretty voice.” His singing capabilities are perfect for the pop-punk songs his band performs. The new songs show improvement compared to Cartel’s older works. The old songs show off his strong voice and impressive falsetto. Cycles, on the other hand, shows a new side to his singing abilities. At times, Pugh sings in a lower tone, which adds a raw feel to the music; the songs have an edge to them. They give off a rock feel with tunes like “27 Steps” and “Deep South.”

It is refreshing that they have changed their style a little, but their upbeat songs still feature Pugh’s amazing voice. My personal favorite, “It Still Remains,” emanates original pop punk origins. Another song “The Perfect Mistake” also incites the feeling of jumping up and down with its catchy beat that matches Pugh’s superb vocals.

For those who haven’t listened to Cartel before, their music is good for those who appreciate a forte and pretty, if not unique, voice. The acoustics, guitars, bassists and the like form a nice ensemble and enjoyable music.

With fans tuning into the new tracks, the band will be on tour with fellow bands This Providence and The Summer Set across the nation this fall. They will make live appearances near the Bay Area in San Francisco and Sacramento on Nov. 12 and 13. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster for the concert at Slim’s or The Boardwalk.