EP REVIEW: Cartoonhead – Moving to the Same Groove

‘…less like a simple collection of songs, and more like a cinematic soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie…’

Born from the ashes of post-hardcore outfit Coast To Coast, the artistic turn for these musicians towards laidback and catchy indie was wholly unexpected. Yet across their career as Cartoonhead, this four-piece have remained an understated highlight of the indie scene, providing decently catchy tunes worthy of a listen when you get chance. That cannot be be said about their latest EP, ‘Moving to the Same Groove’.

Cartoonhead have always been a fun band to listen to, but the evolution of this band on this release is completely unexpected in all of the right ways; this, without a doubt, is one of the finest EPs of the year so far. What is particularly brilliant about this EP is how each track seems to feed into one another, enabling it to feel less like a simple collection of songs, and more like a cinematic soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie. This is absolutely a must-listen EP.

‘You Don’t Dance‘ is a gorgeous, danceable indie cut with potent bittersweet lyricism and the finest vocal work yet from this band; the higher register utilised in the outro is wholly unexpected and a delight to behold. ‘Clatter‘ maintains that danceable energy, and features a brilliant instrumental bridge with electrifying percussion, but strips things back to a breezy minimal during the verses.

The laid-back undercurrents that permeated the previous two tracks, despite their energetic qualities, strolls to the forefront of the simply gorgeous ‘Slick‘, which acts as the centre-piece of the entire EP both literally and musically. The guitar solo in the back half is a magnificent performance that injects just the right amount of drive into this otherwise dreamy, lounging affair.

The EP closes out with the beautiful, walzting ‘Rodney‘, which feels as though it could be played out over the slow scroll of the credits at the end of a movie. The dual guitar melodies provide some stunning moments as they weave around one another, whilst impassioned vocals take on a brilliant, gravelly quality towards the end of the track.

It is clear from this EP that Cartoonhead are a band morphing into something truly special, defying conventional indie tropes and expectations to become an ambitious, cinematic sonic experience. There’s not a single other indie band on the UK circuit who quite have the sparkling magic that Cartoonhead possess on ‘Moving to the Same Groove‘, and what they bring deserves to be listened to by crowds far and wide.

RATING: 86/100 – Mostly Excellent

For Fans Of: The Smiths, Arctic Monkeys, Haytor, Agnes Manners, Red Rum Club

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