J*DaVeY

It's taking L.A. futuristic funk/new wave duo J*Davey a long time to drop their debut album, New Designer Drug, but they've managed to issue a few free songs every few months to remind people why that record is so eagerly anticipated, and Evil Christian Cop is no different. The J*Davey formula of Jack Davey's sensual come-hither vocals and Brook D'Leau's synth-soaked production is now firmly established, and so the group's pass at Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a reach for a larger audience unaware of their sound. But even their unorthodox approach doesn't apply a radically different reading to the song and may not do new converts any favours. On the other hand, "Quicksand" is instantly infectious, easily one of the best songs the group have issued since "No More" dropped around five years ago. Off-kilter blips and beeps and a fractured song arrangement are held together by Jack Davey's beguiling, wailed query: "Don't you want to get stuck with me?" Essential. Elsewhere, D'Leau flexes his instrumental muscles on "Trans" and the people watching of closer "Lazy Daze" works its way into the psyche after a few lessons. As a strong second EP in their The Great Mistapes series, one hopes that J*Davey's need to retain their profile doesn't come at the expense of having barely anything left in the chamber when it's finally time for their close-up.