There are two years between Belfast group Strange New Places' debut single and this first EP and it was well worth every second.

They've maintained the kind of technicolor elevation of everyday life - 35mm print projected big in a beautiful theatre - in clear lyrical imagery which some people enjoy in classic Belle & Sebastian and added The Cars-via-Fountains of Wayne keyboards, as well as an extended reference to The Simpsons' pitiful alcoholic Barney Gumble in the context of a pop song about gender dysphoria, to create one of the most wonderful collection of songs I had heard in a long time.

Someone bring them to London please.

JANUARY 29, 2020