The Hearts (formerly Jeff Stuart & The Hearts) pump out a sonic flow rife with hooky melodies and harmonies; they present a glamorous, sparkly live show; and they construct songs that are firmly nestled among modernity's musical vanguards. But The Hearts are brimming with another flavor sometimes lost in the overdubs of modern music...they exude soul. Their sound combines retro-pop, folk rock and electronica, but in all its flash it is honest and straightforward, with the 'heart' standing out in the mix. 　　 　　None of these statements ever rang more true than on the The Edmonton-based band's new release Equal Love. The lead single "Cold Connection", is a high energy, dance club-motivated number paired with a video release, that sets up the rest of the album. A nine song collection, Equal Love leads out with the sexy groove of "Easy Love", numbing the listener into a state of aural splendor, while "So Little Lonely" mixes glitter with grit in it's crashing beat, driving rhythm, and sweet harmonies. "Hope Drug" is the anthem of the album; a ballad with a deep echoing heartbeat and a mantra-like chorus, while "Magpie" conjures up glam rock ghosts with guitar tones and synth effects. The whole album is an intricate and dense soundscape, and an affecting production by Gavin Dunn and rest of The Hearts, mixed by Sam Kassirer (Josh Ritter, The David Wax Museum, Joy Kills Sorrow). 　　 　　"elegant, sophisticated, daring, and brilliantly creative, but more than anything, from the heart." 　　CKUA Radio 　　 　　Equal Love follows up the band's critically acclaimed 2011 release Equal Parts Reason and Moonlight, which debuted on !earshot and CKUA charts, received national airplay on CBC and independent radio across the country, and was featured in HBO and MTV productions. CKUA's Grant Stovel named the record #1 album of the year, and the band spent the next few years touring extensively throughout Canada, playing SXSW, and performing alongside top acts at international festivals and events. The Hearts are regarded for bringing strong musicianship and a healthy dose of sonic experimentation to the stage, where they trade, layer, interpret and cohere beautifully. Their latest work transmits a heightened sense of verve and collusion among the band as their light grows brighter and brighter in the firmament of Canadian music.