Reviewed: 03/07/20

Jockstrap return with their Warp Records debut, another showing of their art and potential in the experimental space.

Yet to release a full length LP, the duo’s second EP has cemented them as up and coming in the musical world’s more experimental and abstract fringes.

Despite only being five tracks long this EP really showcases some interesting concepts and ideas, coupled with crisp production and a big name feature in the name of Injury Reserve.

The opening track Robert is quite chilling in its delivery at the start, matched with a constantly changing background of sounds and instruments. The manipulation over Injury Reserve’s flow adds to the computerised, glitchy soundscape of the track.

This EP traverses multiple genres and sounds, sometimes in one song, a prime example of which is Robert. It is quite unsettling at times, what with its rampant energy changes.

Acid starts off with the luscious strings and vocals of a Neo-soul pop hit, but already there is something off thanks to the production. Not quite as grating and whiplash inducing as the previous track, it does slowly grow in complexity towards the end of the track.

Yellow In Green is similarly more rooted in conventional art-pop, with the soft vocals of lead singer Georgia Ellery over simple piano that slowly becomes more electronic driven as the song progresses.

In fact, apart from a few teasing elements, we don’t truly get the full force of glitch-pop again until halfway through The City, which again starts with that Neo-soul-esque, traditional vocals.

However, that quickly diverts from the piano driven sound to the non-sensical lyrics with sound effects and backing track to match.

City Hell remains firmly in an experimental mindset, with pitched up vocals and similarly wacky lyrics that add to this fever dream-like experience. The song is the longest by far on this – clocking in at five and half minutes, over a quarter of the EP – but it never feels stagnant or dragging beyond its lifespan.

That’s thanks to the constant upheaval of instruments in the background – be it the space opera like organ synths, or the electronic guitar riffs that fade in and out throughout the track.

Whilst I don’t doubt that the inclusion of Injury Reserve was a bid to hype up the band, I’d argue it wasn’t exactly needed as I am genuinely awaiting a full length-project from the London-formed duo.

If you want a quick but different listen, then this is really worth your time.

Track Listing

• Robert (A)
• Acid (B+)
• Yellow In Green (B)
• The City (A-)
• City Hell (A)