King Isis - SIRENITY EP

On their third EP, Oakland's King Isis continues to dance between worlds, crafting a collection that's both rebellious and refined. 'SIRENITY' serves as the (un)completion of a trilogy following 'scales' and 'shed', yet it feels less like a conclusion and more like just the beginning.

Opening track 'PERMANENTLY BROKEN' arrives with swagger and bite, its alt-pop polish cut with jagged guitar work as King Isis declares, "Cut me open, I feel everything." 'TEARS DON'T CRY (IN A RIVER)' and 'BAD 4 ME' build on the unsettling atmosphere, showcasing King Isis's ability to craft mood pieces that still punch emotionally.

The inclusion of 'tuesday in la (voice memo)' serves as a disruption of the EP's momentum. While the stripped-back approach offers an intimate glimpse into King Isis's process, it sits somewhat awkwardly among its more fully realised siblings. That may be the point - imperfection as artistic statement - but it remains the collection's most divisive moment.

'LATELY' (co-produced with Bartees Strange) provides a triumphant closer. As King Isis contemplates, "Maybe I'm the problem," the track builds, earning every decibel of its explosive finale. The EP succeeds most when embracing its contradictions: the classically trained musician making gleefully messy indie-rock, the perfectionist learning to love the cracks. It's a fascinating evolution in progress.