‘Play Pretend’ is the new EP from Perspective, A Lovely Hand To Hold and it’s hugely enjoyable. This is four tracks of inventive emo-rock with shades of indie-pop and math-rock thrown in for good measure. The New Hampshire based quartet will be unknown to many but have, frustratingly a few days short of submitting lists, produced one of our favourite EPs this year.
The four track opens with ‘Pepe Silvia’, a nod to popular TV show ‘It’s Always Sunny…’, and its quick tempo and fun guitar riffs are a really bright introduction to the band. The lead track also has this great bridge section that bursts into life after a trumpet led lull to proceedings. We’re possibly playing down the trumpet here, but think The World Is A Beautiful Place… type arrangement and you’ll be close. It’s therefore not surprising when you see that they’re both featured on Broken World Media’s catalogue of releases too.
Second track ‘Midway’ is a touch under two minutes but runs at the same lively pace. It’s packed full of rocky guitar riffs and surprisingly big beats too. Okay so it’s not a radio rock anthem exactly but it’s far more indie-pop than we’ve seen from a lot of this new breed of emo inspired bands.
From there ‘I Get Really Dizzy Sometimes’ leads with a simple drum beat before unleashing a really impressive and vitriolic attack at a former partner. It’s biting without being overly aggressive though, helped by the slow pace to the end of the track. You get the impression that Perspective could easily kick in and go to town on this track but hold back a touch.
‘Piano Man Abridged’ brings this short release to a close and it’s another lively mix of guitar riffs over a solid beat. It’s a slightly slower tempo than we’re already used to but that makes the punchier bridge section more impressive when it comes.
‘Play Pretend’ is short and sweet but leaves a huge impression. The band are everything we loved about the World Is A Beautiful Place yet with a more focused approach and a far poppier edge, a reminder of UK bands such as Hot Club de Paris and Art Brut if you’d like. We’re big fans and definitely urge you to give Perspective, A Lovely Hand To Hold a chance.
TOM BECK