At face value, this isn't usually the sort of genre I'd gravitate towards, but there's something about it that is both instantly accessible and genuinely enjoyable. It has enough familiarity to draw you in, while still retaining its own identity.

The EP. Okay, let me go off on a tangent for a moment. Is seven tracks really an EP? To me, three or four tracks—and maybe stretching to five—is what I'd usually consider the sweet spot. Once you get to seven tracks, it starts to feel more like a mini-album, or even just an album if push comes to shove. It's a small thing, but for some reason it always irks me.

The EP opens with "Prevail", and there's no denying its gothic roots, with a bassline that absolutely throbs throughout. Although I wouldn't describe it as outright goth rock, it reminds me of Echo & the Bunnymen, capturing that same dark, brooding atmosphere. It never quite commits fully to the genre, largely because the vocals stop short of going the full gothic route. To be honest, I don't think they need to. Pushing them further in that direction would probably have taken the song somewhere I wouldn't have enjoyed quite as much. Instead, it strikes a balance between mood and accessibility.

With a slightly softer sound, "Western Horror Story" leans more towards post-punk, featuring almost spoken word vocals. There's an understated synth running beneath the song that I found myself constantly drawn back to, adding texture without ever dominating the mix. It's a strong track with plenty to like, even if it never quite reaches the heights that it feels capable of.

"Space" feels like a remnant from the late '80s or early '90s, particularly thanks to its guitar work. Once again, the vocals are used sparingly, but rather than feeling like something is missing, the restraint allows the instrumentation to carry much of the emotion and atmosphere.

"Silent Pictures" and "Closer to You" almost feel like companion pieces, with the latter naturally following on from the former. It's the vocals on "Silent Pictures" that give it its own distinct identity, while "Closer to You" adopts an even more restrained vocal approach, allowing its darker edge to come through. Both tracks continue the EP's atmospheric feel while subtly shifting its mood.

For whatever reason, when listening to "Satisfy", my brain keeps re-imagining it with a brighter overall sound. I don't think that's a criticism of the track itself. If anything, there's something buried within the melody or arrangement that's triggering distant musical memories. It's one of those songs that lingers in your mind, inviting you to hear it from a slightly different perspective each time.

The EP closes with "A Perfect End", and the guitar work immediately gives it a character distinct from everything that has come before. It provides a fitting conclusion, offering enough contrast to make the closing moments memorable without feeling disconnected from the rest of the release.

Overall, this is an interesting EP, filled with moments that evoke echoes of past musical influences without ever feeling derivative. It's certainly not something that sits comfortably within my usual listening habits, yet that's part of what makes it so engaging. Sometimes it's refreshing to step outside your comfort zone, and this is one of those releases that rewards doing exactly that. If nothing else, it's another reminder that there's always something worthwhile to discover beyond the genres you naturally gravitate towards.