polaroids of androids

Back when their band name was the name of their EP (and vice versa) Cut Off Your Hands were known for having a lead singer who spent more time on the floor than on the stage and an incredibly good song called You And I. Not to say the other songs on their debut EP were shit but the blistering urgency, clever punk-dance rock fusion of You And I was unmatched by anything else on their debut.

Second time around, with backing from Levis' new record label (yes, the people who make jeans) we are presented with a smoother, more polished sound. There is still the standout track - Closed Eyes - but different from their debut is the fact that all four of the songs included on Blue On Blue are a lot more complimentary, focused and instantly memorable. There is a constant theme of love scattered throughout the EP, but the emotions on the issue shift from song to song, as does the tempo and style.

Still Fond successfully mis-matches a blistering fast sound with a slower and somewhat cheesy, love-sick lullaby. Oh Girl follows a similar subject matter, although overlays it all with a sing-a-long style and a much slower, playful melody. The forementioned Closed Eyes perfectly blurs the line between emotion driven music and pop song cleverness. It's rougher guitar sound and group shouted chorus combining to great effect. The closing track, On Blue follows a similar line yet pushes slightly more towards the pop side of things. The infectious 'ooh-aah' chorus providing the perfect way to get the listener back for more as it's catchiness beckons movement towards the repeat button.

Overall Cut Off Your Hands cover all bases on this EP without becoming thin on ideas and desperate to do too much in the confined space. The franticness is still there, this time well-matched with a greater sense of self belief and a lot more thought being put into creating clever and appealing songs. It's another stepping stone towards their debut album and surely proves to the higher powers that the New Zealand kids have the goods to warrant a full release. Sooner rather than later as well, please.