exlovers - You Forget So Easily (Chess Club Records)

Katy Ratican | Tuesday, 11 August 2009

Cutting their teeth on the gigging circuit, exlovers seem to have been going happily about their business for a few months now. This 5-track EP gives a pretty good view of what you should expect from them; pleasant, non-aggressive indie-pop. And whilst that could sound like a criticism, it's not. Well, not a direct one anyway.

Title track 'You Forget So Easily' showcases the band's boy-girl harmonies from the off and initially conveys that all is well in the land of exlovers. But the lyrics "I never knew you'd forget so easily/I know that it means nothing to you..." swiftly tell you otherwise. The youthfulness of the vocals mean you can't really take what you presume to be failed love seriously, but the saving grace is, to this bunch, clearly it's the music that matters.

'New Year's Day', the most acoustic track on the EP, sounds like an early Ryan Adams or even Brendon Benson, but doesn't ever really get going, and compared to the other tracks is a bit of a non starter. 'Just A Silhouette' picks things up, but it's 'You're So Quiet' that stands out as the best track on the EP. It is fast-paced enough for you to get away with dancing to it, but the guitars give it an edge that means it will appeal to a more alternative audience.

Its energetic nature lends weight to the argument that exlovers find themselves nestled between two categories; lively, dance-friendly poppets versus dark, acoustic overthinkers. On this showing though, the former works better for them, as you never quite believe their maudlin undertones.

Final song 'The Moon Has Spoken' not only imparts the band's airy melodies but proves that the band can actually play their instruments. The vocals sit well alongside the guitars and manage not to be overshadowed.

So, exlovers are not doing anything new. But what they are doing, they are doing well and there's plenty to suggest that they are still finding the genre that suits them. If that's the case, they will go on to prove themselves as a good band with a mass of loyal followers. They'll have a greater chance of achieving this if they steer clear of their acoustic tendencies, though.

Rating: 3.5/5