The John-Pauls

***Following the success of their debut EP and two full-length LPs for New Jersey-based Aagoo Records, the John-Pauls are back with a new 7-song EP titled Eep Eep. Recorded mostly live in Lockhart, Texas, by Matt Gerhard and Knife in the Water’s Aaron Blount, the songs exhibit the full range of the John-Pauls’ post-indie-parent-rock. “Florescent Brown” is ‘80s poetry wave, like riding a 99 Luftballoon to Athens, GA, piloted by Johnny Marr and the Edge. “Hold Me Tight” is an xx-esque interplay of naked guitars and Mikila John-Paul’s damaged chanteuse vocals. “Eep Eep,” the single, is a bubble gum punk POV monologue of a libidinous and articulate dolphin, the Plastic Bertrand Band circa a minute before tomorrow. “Islands in a Ditch” sounds nothing like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, but everything like overhearing a conversation between Lou Reed and Edna St. Vincent Millay at the HEB. “Ugly Feelings” is affect theory put into practice, as if sung by Mark E Smith backed by Robert Fripp. Beneath it all, Elizabeth John–Paul’s Ringo-in-front-of-the-beat drumming keeps the mood urgent, beyond present. The ep closes with Neu/Unrest inspired experimentation and never ends.