HotKid

Of all the guitar/drum duos to appear over the past few years, Cambridge, ON's HotKid have displayed a rare ability to maximize the limited tools at their disposal over their handful of previous releases. This latest four-song vinyl/digital EP marks the arrival of new drummer Rob Butcher, and he steps in at a time when vocalist/guitarist Shiloh Harrison's all-around abilities have clearly reached a new level of intensity. Gone are the garage rock training wheels; Under The Streetlight is instead 12 minutes of raw, magisterial power. While Harrison's guitar playing remains as solid as ever, she's less concerned with showing off. Much of the emphasis is now on her voice, and on every track, especially anthemic closer "Down," she sings with more confidence than ever before. If all of this is any indication of the direction HotKid are heading, expect the band's next full-length to be a monster.