With the use of gratuitous language in the verse title track, Stars smacks of youthful attittude as it tears the groupie to shreds. The floaty pop of the song contrasts starkly against the lyrically content making for a nice juxtaposition and the track radiates a high output of cool. Poseidon is reverb soaked and echo laden, owing much to the girl groups of the ’60s. It even features a speaking monologue directed at the listener as if they are the love interest, executed superbly by bass player Beth. Popularised in the ’50s and ’60s you might remember similar parts in such songs as Leader Of The Pack and Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) etc. Third track The Sun rolls on placidly, sweet harmonising abounds but it feels rather lifeless. It seems that Sures came out with the big guns too early in the piece. Simple arrangements in Romeo leave plenty of space for the anti-love lyrics to shine but the song lacks the same impact that Stars and Poseidon possess. Closer L.A is ethereal shoe gaze that subtly swings from side to side in an overly hypnotic fashion.
Reaching to the far ends of the pop and rock world for inspiration, Sures end up sounding like a mash up of Best Coast, Washed Out and The Raveonettes with some Beach Boys thrown in for good measure. Their songs have the potential to start sounding repetitive, but the EP is just an entree, we’ll just have to wait until they serve up the main course before casting any real judgement.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
Best Track: Stars
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: WAVVES, WASHED OUT, BEST COAST
In A Word: Emerging
