Galoshins – EP1/EP2

Recorded separately but released concurrently, EP1 and EP2 work well in combination as a single, album-length introduction to Galoshin’s peculiar brilliance. Shake Up opens the first, its rolling drums, restless organ lines and distorted howls initially resembling punked-up merseybeat before visiting more abstruse territories. As the remainder of EP1 unfolds – from The 4th Chord’s driven art-pop to the off-kilter creep of Mink – the band’s chameleonic qualities sharpen, their nervy eclecticism keeping listeners on their toes.

EP2 repeats the trick, tailing opener Chank’s adrenalized post-punk with a jazzy coda that adds further hues to an already busy palette. Devil in Us is another highlight thanks to vocalist Mark Macphail’s frenetic delivery, while final number Get Me out of This Hole ups the mania with cackles and moans, ending on a high. Further EPs will follow later this year, but these twin releases offer more than enough to be getting on with.