Earthmen & Strangers

***A new EP from RYAN WONG’s (REATARDS, LOST SOUNDS, DESTRUCTION UNIT) current outfit EARTHMEN & STRANGERS. "’Painter’ shows more complex songsmithery and detailed guitar pop with a fragile aggressiveness, taking some influence from favorite Kiwi-pop sources. B-Side is ‘Space on Our Hands’ which continues the same themes, upbeat guitar pop showing some delicate tension and played with plenty of finesse. Not a rocker by any means, but a beautifully constructed pop song with guts. Well done Mr. Rousseau. While I don't want to insinuate anyone will ever replace Jay Reatard, I think a lot of his ideas and soul carry on via Ryan, one of his longstanding bandmates and friends who he shared very similar ideas with for what they wanted to do with rock music. Ryan's had a long and illustrious career on his own anyway, which should be reason enough to pay attention.”—RK. 500 pressed on purple vinyl.