Anorak Patch - By Cousin Sam EP

There’s a decidedly mature sound that Anorak Patch are toting on their debut EP. This normally doesn’t really mean anything other than a band getting a bit boring, but when the average age of this lot is 16, and this is a short, sharp burst of expressional weirdness chockfull of looming overtones, it makes for an enticing offer.

The Colchester-based group are quick to immerse you in their dark world, franticly building scenes of cohabiting locusts and mad cats (‘Pairs Will Be Paid For’), or howling “Simon Says, what is in your head?” ('Irate') enough for you to respect the rules and have a proper root around.

Much like dawn creeping in after a dark night, the crashing sounds often find a euphoria peeking through. It’s meant to unsettle and welcome, which is quite the task, and one they’ve achieved with bells on. If this is what they can conjure in the twilight years of their teens then Anorak Patch are certainly going to be sticking around for a very long time indeed.