How can you dance with a heavy heart?

That’s the central question posed by new Los Angeles duo Story of the Running Wolf in “Stratospheric,” a song with a gauzy synthpop sound that fits alongside the likes of M83, Strange Talk, and The Sound Of Arrows. The lead track on Story of the Running Wolf’s eponymous EP, out since July, “Stratospheric” has been on repeat since my initial encounter with their debut set in mid-December.

It was then that Josh D’Elia and Jeffrey Chernick posted a visualizer-style music video for “Stratospheric,” a move that went a long way toward making me feel less behind the curve on getting to their Story.

The remaining four tracks on Story of the Running Wolf’s EP feature moments reminiscent of Depeche Mode, Talk Talk, Tears For Fears, and other ’80s New Wave stalwarts, but given a futuristic feel. Nowadays most modern synthpop comes only from overseas sources (note the aforementioned six artists), so I’m especially excited that D’Elia and Chernick are homegrown talents.

Free download of Story of the Running Wolf – Story of the Running Wolf EP via Bandcamp (or purchase via iTunes).