Opening track Yes I Am is a sassy number, Francesca Corradini’s cracked vocal acting as ringleader for the rocky instrumentation, alternating between a doe-eyed innocence to frenzied wailing she exudes energy that propels the song along. It’s a less successful mix on the The Cranberries-like Freeze me, a melancholy pop song with a lively chorus. It’s got a certain retro charm and feels like the uplifting end credits music to an Empire Records-like teen flick.
Title track has a summery vibe, Francesca spluttering out lyrics on the verse, theremin warbling in the background, it puts me in mind of Alisha’s Attic, sharing that kind of nineties Brit-Pop atmosphere, and there’s – as I’ve mentioned – a certain regard to that era that runs through all the tracks on this EP. It’s A Beautiful Lie has bright acoustic guitars building towards a sashaying emotive chorus, Francesca swooning ‘I gave my heart away.’
Closing track Count Me In has a staccato harpsichord-like refrain and a bit of a moody Blondie-vibe, however it’s probably the EP’s weakest track with regards to memorable hooks or choruses, which are generally the band’s saving graces, this one content to murmur along in a pretty forgettable wash of sweeping guitar chords.
There’s a sense of nostalgia to this record that means it’d probably have stood out a bit more if it arrived on the crest of the wave. Listening to it now it feels a little beholden to a number of familiar artists, but it has its moments here and there and is a fluffily enjoyable listen.
[Rating:3]
