SLAG—Losing

There's no missing the name of this band, spelled in all caps: SLAG. Being from London, I can’t help but hear it in full Cockney mode, like I’m a copper from The Sweeney busting a gang of vicious gangsters, but that’s where the imagery falls away and the music takes over.

Musically, there’s a lot to like. For me, it’s a veritable smorgasbord of influences, though the indie sound comes through most strongly.

The EP opens with "Face Off", and it feels like an easy contender for a single. The female vocalist has a lower range, which gives the track a rich, slightly sensual tone. There’s no mistaking this is very much a guitar and drum driven band, though there are some well placed keyboard flourishes that add a little texture.

The next track, "Losing", has a much darker tone. It carries an 80s indie feel, but it’s been pulled into the present day, almost as if it’s battling with itself, giving it a darker, more brooding sonic edge.

With "Still Here", things start much brighter, almost like a throwback to the 90s. Once the vocals come in, though, it becomes more of a fusion of 80s and 90s influences, with the former adding a more angst-ridden tone. I have to admit, on first listen it felt like it didn’t quite know its own identity, but after a few plays it began to gel. The band will probably think I’m mad, but lyrically there’s a flow that strongly reminded me of Tori Amos.

Reading the title of the next track, "Private Gyno", my mind immediately started racing, trying to guess where it might go. To me, it comes across as a call for help. Some of the lyrics were hard to decipher, though that may just be my addled brain letting me down. The track itself has a strong energy, and there’s a lovely break about two thirds of the way through that offers a brief respite. Just as it begins to wind down, it hits with a scream and a final slap to the face.

The EP closes with "Dislocated", a slower, almost battle-weary lament to what came before. For me, it adds another dimension to the band, and it caps the EP off perfectly. Interestingly, on some sites it’s the least played song, which I find genuinely perplexing, as it’s probably my favourite.

Given the band name and the EP cover, I came in with a few preconceptions, which were quickly shattered from the opening track. Musically, it’s an engaging mix, with the occasional flourish adding extra texture.

I have to admit, the first couple of tracks didn’t quite grab me at first, but by the end of the EP I was eager to dive back in. After a few listens, I became genuinely excited to see what the band does next.