Among Matt Molnar’s previous projects is Friends, the Samantha Urbani-fronted New York metropolitan pop Band To Watch that seemed to be on the verge of a big breakthrough before apparently dissolving last year. Lately, besides loaning his practice space out to DIIV, Molnar has been working on a new group called Kissing Is A Crime. The band’s self-titled EP is out next month, and “Crown Royal” is its lead single and opening track. The song shimmers as it grooves along, its simple, steady percussive loop giving way to brash live drums and very pretty less-is-more guitar work. Pleasingly, the lead vocal reminds me of Billy Corgan, especially on the line, “I’d sell my soul/ For a taste of you/ A kiss, a kiss, a kiss/ Your cherry lips.” Hear “Crown Royal” below.

Kissing Is A Crime is out 10/14 via self-release. Tracklist:

01 “Crown Royal”
02 “I Only Wanted Everything”
03 “Ryan White”

[Photo by Chloe Locarro.]