Residual Echoes - Firsts

Fresh off the move to Los Angeles, Residual Echoes main man Adam Payne returns with a new lineup once again and the first release since said move. I don’t know why I was expecting something familiar when I first popped in the new EP from Residual Echoes, simply dubbed Firsts. I already knew that anything that comes out on Elevation has the potential to be something completely different than what someone might typically be used hearing, as that’s part of the idea behind it actually for the artists involved. Whether that’s the case or if it was just the move to the west coast, instead of the normal winding psych freakouts and krautrock tendencies, the first couple of songs off the EP greet me with two short cuts that could be best described as heavily influenced by 80’s west coast post-punk/indie-rock. Like I said, pretty different from what I would have expected, however it’s done very well and by the time the bands cover of the Blake Babies “Wipe it Up” comes on, I find am nodding my head, not only in what I guess is some sort of approval but because it’s pretty catchy stuff. The fourth track “Fresh Eyes”, which is probably my favorite of the bunch, reminds me of some of the better jangly and poppy indie-rock to come out the 90’s. The last track on the album steps back into what most fans of the band have come to expect from them, as Payne and the band rip off another 10 minute psych-rock masterpiece. For fans of the band, you won’t be disappointed. However they could be disappointed if they don’t pick this up in time, as this release is limited to just 2000 copies and will not be reprinted in the future. In the meantime, check out the tunes below from the EP.

Residual Echoes – Dosed Clothes [MP3]
Residual Echoes – Fresh Eyes [MP3]

Do pick this up if you’re enjoying the music posted. Firsts can still be had over at Elevation Records.