When Best Coast announced their new album California Nights this past month, it was immediately evident that this project was much bigger than any other album release. Along with word of the new album came the news that the duo had signed a major label deal with Harvest Records, a subsidiary of Capitol Records and Sony Music Entertainment. Two ambitious new tracks from Best Coast have been released since the announcement titled “California Nights”, and the guitar-laden, immediately likable (and appropriately moody) “Heaven Sent”.

These two songs do an expert job of showcasing the band’s updated, more polished sound, while still reveling in the sunny irreverence that Best Coast is known for. So far, it appears as though California Nights is going to be a bona-fide, fully formed version of what Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno have worked for since the band’s debut.

Taking a closer look at “Heaven Sent”, we find a new spin on Best Coast’s typical formula. The leading guitar riff is a little more 90’s rock and a little less 60’s pop than normal, but it surprisingly clicks with the rest of the style, landing the listener on familiar, yet updated, footing.

While “California Night” may begin a little slow, it quickly gains ground as a mid-tempo power ballad that, if nothing else, is framework for Cosentino’s hauntingly powerful vocals. Where as “Heaven Sent” is an incredible all-around track for the band, “California Nights” is a representation of a musical evolution for Best Coast. It is the type of track that gives the band immense staying power, as well as a unique sound that does not appear to be failing them any time soon.

California Nights hits shelves May 5, but until then, there is plenty of new material to play on repeat with “Heaven Sent” and “California Nights”, two songs that stand out substantially from Best Coast’s already great music catalog. Judging by the sound of these two tracks, it is nothing but clear skies ahead for the duo.