EPS by Yasmin Brown

Mudhoney: Morning in America

Mudhoney have been around since 1988, a fact that is abundantly clear in their latest release, Morning in America. This is an EP made up of alternative versions and international B-sides, however upon first, second and even third listen, many of these seven tracks sound painfully similar, making it difficult to differentiate between the end of one and the start of another. It’s relentlessly shouty in a fierce attempt to be punk, however on more than one occasion, the instrumentals are painfully long, and you find yourself wishing that frontman Mark Arm would tone down his dulcet tones for just a second. Let’s Kill Yourself Live Again is almost entirely nonsensical, and while Creeps Are Everywhere is certainly poignant today with the seemingly endless exposure of so many of these so-called creeps, the fact still remains that this EP is not only something we’ve all heard before, but it’s simply not enjoyable.

Veronica Fusaro: Sunkissed

As if we ever needed further proof that much of the world’s greatest musicians come out of Switzerland, soul-pop artist supplies just that with her latest EP, Sunkissed. From the moment it kicks off with the uplifting Rollercoaster, you’re pulled in, but it’s not until Lie to Me that you really start to appreciate the talent that exists inside this woman. There are endless unexpected moments that cause you to catch your breath, and in just five tracks, Fusaro manages to channel a number of personalities, from the very sweetest to the most sexy. It’s mature (see Hello Old Friend), but fun, too, as Fusaro holds onto her youth as she ages. Sunkissed is more than worth your time.

Molly Devine: Rain in the River

The synthetic beats and sweet melodies that appear throughout the Dunedin based Molly Devine’s debut EP have all the potential to lead to something wonderful. Sadly, however, Rain in the River is disappointing at best, as you find yourself dozing off towards the end of track two. It’s important to remember that this is a first attempt, and that as far as first attempts go, it is nearly recorded and produced, despite lacking anything that’s likely to get you excited. Devine’s voice is lovely, yet it’s prevented from reaching its full potential due to the fact that she has a tendency to play it safe. If she’s to take a risk in her next release, there’s every probability that it will pay off, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Cashmere Cat: PRINCESS CATGIRL

If you’re after something strange, Cashmere Cat is definitely the direction in which you should be heading. Behind this alias is Norwegian musician, DJ and producer, Magnust August Høiberg, but you’d never believe it upon listening to the PRINCESS CATGIRL EP. While it could, at a stretch, be considered a decent collection of dance tracks, it’s almost impossible to get past the fact that every track has been edited to a pitch that only dogs should be able to hear, and it’s truly bizarre to imagine cat singing the dirty lyrics that appear in BACK FOR YOU. Think video games, DJ Sammy, and animals of the feline variety, and you might find yourself somewhat close to envisioning what we’ve been presented here with PRINCESS CATGIRL. It wouldn’t be fair to say it’s bad - in fact it’s almost enjoyable - however it is difficult to take seriously (how can you get past a song called MOO sung by an artist called Cashmere Cat?), and that alone is enough to ensure you only ever listen to it once. Played in a club, it may be more acceptable, but beyond that, the pending success of this EP is limited.