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Van SheVan She Modular/UMA Van She are another band to come to notice thanks to the disco, post-punk, new wave renaissance and I've found deciding whether this EP is a good thing or not is entirely subjective. Mission sounds like a prize discovery from the vaults of 1984, with some vocals that remind me of a tamer version of the singer from the Arcade Fire and a synth line nicked directly from the Bravery. Not that this takes anything away from Van She's sonic smarts: it's a beautifully constructed tune and arrangement all the same. Kelly sounds like a direct lift from something out of the '80s, the tune that it delves into frustratingly slipping my mind. It's basically what Bloc Party are doing (much better) at the moment, but the vocals in the chorus lift it above mediocrity, sounding quite similar to something off Cut Copy's 'Bright Like Neon Love'. My money's on Sex City, the obvious merits of said place notwithstanding. It's been on rotation at Triple J for a while now, so some may be familiar with it's coolly detached vocals, tom-tom drums and bleeping synth. Unfortunately, this too still sounds like Cut Copy, so I had many a gripe with this record for not standing apart from the dance pack. Survive goes some way to redeeming themselves from my punishing pen with its creative drum work, bouncing bass line and freaky computer effects. The always-changing tempo is quite intriguing, and the whole package transports you to some highly cool underground club in 1982, where the kids are alright and the music's tight. Here With You finishes on a nice note but I really struggled to get into this record. It's just too obvious, I suppose.  |
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