Sydney band The Upskirts are making a name for themselves on the live music scene. Second EP Disconnection is a great introduction to this rocking and fun four piece.
The EP starts with a grinding riff and slowly builds until the vocals start. First track 'Easy Lad' has a driving drum beat, lyrics delivered with urgency and a pounding bass line. It wavers and builds through the verse, until all hell breaks loose in the chorus. It's a short-lived burst, the urgency and layering of the first verse returns for the second. This song grabs your attention and keeps it, exactly what you need in an opening track.
'Crimes and Pasttimes' doesn't have as long of an intro as the first track. It's more energetic and the guitar riff is sexier. The Upskirts do this sexy kind of rock so damn well and it's a huge accomplishment to bring something new to this genre. Chorus "You are only going to break me down" reaches a peak at the end of the song and has a quick finish.
The title 'Vesuvius' makes me giggle and think of a Zoolander line - I'm sure that isn't the point of the song - and it's more similar to 'Easy Lad' than 'Crimes and Pasttimes'. I love the way The Upskirts layer these songs and build into a short busrt of noise and energy, before pulling it back and putting the focus back on the lyrics and guitar riff. It builds and explodes towards the end, with drums crashing and guitars wailing, before stripping it back and fading out.
'Wrecking Ball' starts fast and layers up through the first verse into the chorus. It doesn't have the same edge as the other songs but it's much more catchy and it's easy to imagine jumping around to this song at a gig.
Title track 'Disconnection' is the closing track and isn't as heavy as the other tracks to start. This song provides some contrast to an otherwise grindingly rocking EP and it's nice to hear they're able to do stripped back music well too.
Disconnection is a great EP from a band who have worked hard to make a name for themselves and who will continue to do so. After hearing this EP, I'm keen to see them live and to hear a full album, more so than before.
Review Score: 9.0 out of 10
