Pennyfly Suitcase - Why Write I - EP

On first viewing, German band Pennyfly Suitcase seem to be aiming to confuse with their debut EP. The release ends with a track called Intro and opens with a tune called Tekkno - which could hardly be further from techno if it tried. But neither of these points are negative - the band have created an intriguing and promising debut EP which contains enough ideas for a full LP's worth of material.

Tekkno initially puts the listener in mind of Jupiter - era Cave In, before shifting through some dark Oceansize - style atmospherics a middle section reminiscent of Mew's skyscraping melodies. Not bad reference points to pass through in one tune, but it's to the band's credit that they maintain their own identity through the piece.

There are hooks aplenty in these tunes, and a tiny criticism would be that some of the more interesting melodies are occasionally lost as the songs twist and turn through various parts. Circe's Kin ups the heaviness, with some interesting changes of direction across its 6 minute duration and the closer Intro has a gorgeous Explosions In The Sky feel with its clean, delicate guitar lines. All in all, an individual and diverting effort from Pennyfly Suitcase, who clearly demonstrate they have enough ideas to move on from their influences and continue to develop their own sound.

7/10