The Afternoon Edition has a bold manifesto: “To continue the tradition of American music the way our heroes did.” Many bands begin by emulating the greats, but when your heroes are the Byrds, the Band and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, that can be a pretty tall order. Which is why it’s so remarkable that on their new track, “Canyon Lights,” this trio—made up of brothers Connor and Shane Noetzel and their friend Brian Gallio—proves that they may indeed have what it takes to go toe to toe with the Americana heavyweights that they love. The rambling, breezy track has a well-worn quality that makes it sound like something outside of its own time. The swell of banjos and piano feel classically country, yet singer Connor’s indie-folk intonations root the song in the present, reminiscent of modern-day crooners like Ray LaMontagne or M. Ward.

The boys will release their first full-length album this summer, a follow up to 2013’s debut EP, No One Will Know. Check out “Canyon Lights” below.