Dundee's finest trio that put the rock into singer-songwriter come up with a brand new studio recorded EP and it showcases what makes this band so hot. Opening with the lead track, we're immediately attacked by some serious guitar riffing from lead guitarist, vocalist and chief writer, Zara, as Cath on drums and Martin on bass crash in and deliver a solid rhythmic foundation that propels the track, as Zara' s lead vocal soars into life, as anthemic as you could wish, on a track that has you moving and just sounds so expansive - the sort of track that makes you just want to turn it right up and leap about the place with a broad grin on your face. Zara's vocal delivery is so powerful and she has one of the most unique and enjoyable vocals around, really letting go on the choruses as the track ends in a multi-tracked vocal anthemic finale with the rhythm section roaring away underneath - so addictive, you just want to play it all over again.
But, for now, carry on and you'll find 'My Race', a track that opens as a tender ballad with just guitar and vocal before the drums and bass well up and turn the track into a swaying, lighters-in-the-air type of anthemic ballad that melts the heart while at the same time, once again, proves irresistible to standing still. With yearning lyrics that are delivered with passion, it's a two and a half minute slice of inspirational playing and singing.
For the third track, they resurrect a track from their original demos, this time a version of the jaunty 'Harder By The Day', this featuring Cath on drums, bongos and percussion a chief driving force while Martin underpins it with strong bass lines that wander up and down the mix, and even let loose on top, mid-song. A solid track, it tells its own tale of life after love has left, once more sung with passion as Zara lets you know she means every word, that voice so strong and addictive, as chiming rhythm guitar fills the background.
'Never Change' is the newest track on here, a composition with socially aware lyrics delivered on an almost funky staccato arrangement, if you can imagine that, as the whole band fires your imagination and inspiration with a strong yet quite simple set of melodies, chiming guitar backdrop and almost lurching rhythms that hit the spot as Zara's vocal has you hypnotised and sounds so impassioned.
For the final track, Freak It', the intense passion of the previous trio of tracks is replaced by a wholly more optimistic and joyous feel as the choppy rhythm guitar leads the way propelled by solid drumming and bass work that's upfront and running up and down the mix, Zara's vocal varying between solo and multi-tracked, as the song bounces along with infectious qualities as the chorus sticks in your head and the choppy nature of the song follows a natural course, a mid-song solo from guitar and percussion leading into more chiming guitar work as the chorus returns, repeated and exhorted, to the final decelerated end point.
Overall, this is a seriously excellent next step up the ladder from one of Dundee's most commercial bands and furtehr example of what a vocal and writing talent Zara is and what a tight band the three of them have become. Essential listening!
