From the “How did we miss this?” department: Longtime Mission Freak favorites These United States are moving into dangerously prolific territory with their second full-length this year, which dropped last Tuesday via United Interests. Crimes is something of a liberation for Jesse Elliot and company, who toiled behind production of their debut, A Picture of the Three of Us… for a long time. By the time it was finally released in March, it had seen the light of day in a different incarnation before being scrapped, re-recorded, and ultimately released. Crimes seems much more representative of what These United States is now. Where A Picture… was dragged down by overproduction and overthinking in general, Crimes much more captures this band’s live spirit. For These US is undoubtedly a band that thrives as a live outfit. Elliot is a tremendous songwriter with a warble that recalls both Paleo and Devendra Banhart, but his strength as a lyrical poet is only as great as his ability to bring his music to the people, something he does tirelessly. You can rest assured that on almost any given night Elliot and his men are plying their trade somewhere, winning the hearts of anyone within earshot. “West Won” is some of Elliot’s finest songwriting, writing about making your own rules and mantras: “Dionysus, Dionysus, a bottle of booze at the back of a bus / Saying lord, lord, forgive me lord, you’ve got to sneak something or your bound to get bored.” Grab the track below. Coincidentally, there is a new Daytrotter session up this morning from These US as well. Download those tracks here.

Also, peep that Oasis t-shirt on Mr. Elliot in that promo pic!

Download: These United States - West Won