Laundromat (Meet Me in St Louis frontman Toby Hayes) releases the ‘Green’ EP via Brace Yourself Records. It follows the success of the ‘Blue’ EP back in the springtime. Having already received acclaim from Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq and Dork magazine, the three pieces of bedroom pop find Toby embracing influences ranging from Broadcast to films including Repo Man, Punch-Drunk Love and Alice in the Cities.
The brilliantly titled ‘Bureau De Fatigue’ opens the EP in style. With beats and a DIY feel bouncing around in the rhythm from the very first note, it recalls the free experimental stylings of The Beta Band or Super Furry Animals as Toby mixes up his vocals, delivering lines like ‘you’re a weirdo’ with relish. There’s also time for a cheeky guitar solo.
‘Bug-Eyed’ follows with a sound reminiscent of Kim Deal’s Breeders – if they had ever thought of going into bedroom pop. There’s a swirling , hypnotic effect as Toby talks about someone who keeps calling his bluff and how because of this, he has to sleep with one eye shut and one open: ‘You made me look bug-eyed’. The closing ‘Nein’ offers grungey guitar riffs that gradually get slowed down as Toby continually asks (or, should that be, demands?): ‘Are we having fun or what?’
Put this EP on and you certainly will be…