Mae DESTINATION: BEAUTIFUL (Tooth & Nail)

On their first album for mega-indie Tooth & Nail, Virginia college-rockers Mae evoke the big-hearted anthems of Jimmy Eat World and classic U2. With Madonna’s management team in their corner and two fancy music videos under their belt, the band are already on the fast track to stardom. But they’re keeping it real for now: they made the disc in their home town without a big-name producer, and they’ve been supporting it grassroots-style on the emo touring circuit for much of the past year.

Mae’s current single is the disc-opening "Embers and Envelopes," which uses chiming guitars and brisk beats to fight off melancholy: "Embers, we’re burning bridges down/Oh-oh, envelopes stuffed with feelings found." The disc’s first single, "Summertime," has pretty melodies to match but rocks harder, and it ends with an urgent wish to drive away and leave it all behind. On the cinematic ballad "Sun," frontman David Gimenez turns his frown upside down while keyboardist Rob Sweitzer joins Something Corporate’s Andrew McMahon on the modern-rock piano bandwagon. This is a slick, soulful debut that hints of greater things to come.

(Mae perform this Wednesday, January 28, at the Middle East; call 617-864-3278.)