The Slits

The Slits return with a brilliant, break-neck EP that perfectly encapsulates the band’s history while giving a hint of what their sound’s future might hold. Comprised of original Slits vocalist Ari Up and bassist Tessa Pollitt, the rest of this current line-up is filled out by Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and guitarist Marco Pirroni, formerly of Adam & the Ants and Siouxsie & the Banshees. Singing back up is Cook’s daughter Holly, along with Mick Jones’s daughter Lauren. Kicking off with "Slits Tradition,” Revenge doesn’t hesitate to take you right back to the Slits’ 1977 sound of punky reggae, but remains contemporary with electronic samplings and punched up backing vocals chanting in the background. "Number One Enemy” leans more heavily towards a guitar-oriented sound and churns out some well-delivered aggression. "Kill Them With Love” could be a classic Slits rendition but also sidles up to give a taste of what Ari Up gets around to creating when she’s out doing her solo thing. This EP is a small package but gives a wide range of what this new incarnation is working within.