Every week at PopCrush, we’re putting the spotlight on one up-and-coming act you need to know about. Why? So you can get on board early before everyone else and their mother jumps on the bandwagon…and so you can be that one friend in the group who’s always like, “Um, actually, I prefer their earlier work.”

Kings of Leon. The Jonas Brothers. Hanson. Tegan and Sara. You've probably guessed what these bands have in common, but in case you haven't: They're all talented groups that boast siblings as members. And the Hunts, a seven-member indie folk outfit from Virginia, are a welcome addition to this particular club.

Those Younger Days, The Hunts' full-length debut for Cherrytree Records, is full of buoyant layered harmonies and gorgeous arrangements. The group's members range from 17 to 25 in age, and while it's somewhat rare to encounter such a polished debut from artists this young, family bands are particularly well-suited for the task — after all, they've had most of their lives together to practice.

Twin sisters Jenni and Jessi and their five brothers Josh, Jonathan, Jordan, Justin, and Jamison have been singing and playing violin since they were kids. Over the years, as they performed in their community and ventured out to festivals and theaters, the siblings also taught themselves to play the mandolin, piano, ukulele, banjo, and drums. When they'd developed some formidable musical skills, they took a stab at songwriting. As you can see in the "Make This Leap" video, their hard work has paid off, and their cohesive dynamic — forged through hundreds of performances — is evident.

Jenni and Josh share lead vocal duties, and the ace violin work is the product of lessons from their classically-trained mother. The Hunts are a must-hear for fans of the Lumineers' sunny folk, and their songs evoke the raucous joy and lush composition that Of Monsters and Men are also celebrated for.

Take a listen to "Illuminate" and watch them perform another album track, "Remember Us," below. If you love what you hear as much as we do, Those Younger Days is available on iTunes now, and you should catch them in a city near you on their current tour.

 

More From PopCrush