by Chris Coplan (@CCoplan)
Less of Everything was, as some have already pointed out, a mantra for English synth-punk outfit Es. A declaration for simplicity and directness in an increasingly overwrought world. A promise for organic life to rage against a daily deluge of complex, multimedia trickery. So, can we apply the same kind of logic to their follow-up EP, Fantasy? Is it just that — an achievement of some extra lofty dream? The fulfillment of untold promise? Maybe not so much — but then it’s always been about the ideas over the impact.
In a not so subtle way, these four tracks feel like proper continuation of that excellent 2020 full-length. So much so, it’s practically like we’re dealing with a whole other side to an LP. Not that there’s much wrong with that, and each track exemplifies why Es are both perpetually reliable and subtly innovative.
"Emergency" is pure whimsy, like a new wave band who plays exclusively at renaissance fairs. "Too Late" shows the band can forge wonders with decidedly few elements (i.e., crunchy bass, synths like buzzing mosquitoes). "Unreal" employs similar tools and tricks as its predecessor — only this time the end goal is to lull everyone into a blissful haze. Finally, "Swallowed Whole" is the most direct track, and even then there's a subtlety expertly playing up its core intensity.
If you liked Less of Everything, there’s plenty more to enjoy here — with added layers and textures that extend and expand Es’ core sound without overburdening. If this record is truly a fantasy, it’s maybe for that inherent magic that comes with EPs released by punk bands. The genre-medium combo are innately linked — it’s a streamlined delivery vehicle for music that demands that visceral immediacy. In the case of Es specifically, they take advantage of the EP’s structure in some compelling ways.
Es cull the most from the limited time/space by forging a tracklist with a real sense of momentum. It's subtle, but the moods of each tune feel like proper movements, like some fanciful punk rock Phoenix. They also recognize that all EPs inherently are unfulfilling — they can never truly scratch an itch, and that sensibility is perfect for Es' whole approach. The EP is the currency of controlled interactions, and Es make dizzying use of this with songs that deliver without forgoing some proper teasing.
As an extension of that last bit, I think EPs are perfect for Es given their, let’s say, lackadaisical approach to releases. Fantasy is only their third offering in some seven-ish years. Some might say that less can often be more, and I’d agree given we have the EP format. It feels like the perfect delivery system for regular output from Es — just enough to maintain their sonic development without demanding too much engagement (and thus maintaining some of their essential mystery). None of this has anything to do with the actual music, but then it’s also proof of the experience presented here and how it’s more than mere sounds but endless, juicy context.
What the EP does more than anything else is highlight the unwavering strengths of Es as a whole. The aforementioned contextual differences between the tracks feel really apparent given the way things feel totally packed together (in the best possible way). The shift from, say, the hazy "Unreal" to the blunt "Swallowed Whole" is a genuinely intense voyage, and it guides the listener across a proper full body experience. Maybe these tracks would be the same on a full-length, but their configuration here lends real magic. "Too Late" feels so organic and fluid not just because of its moving parts, but the sentiments that book-end it and how it gets just enough time to flourish before seemingly mutating in our very ears.
Es are pros at making songs as snapshots of some grander ideas and themes — and those "artifacts" gain even more mystic energy when placed thoughtfully in order. It's about making the most of not just what's there, but invoking bigger energies to foster something all the more charming and profound. At the same time though, I think the EP also highlights some of the core weaknesses of Es as a unit. I'd mentioned earlier Fantasy shares a lot with Less of Everything, and that's just as much of a problem as an opportunity.
Not that there isn't enough variation here already, but it takes a little time and study; it's not exactly a casual experience, and it’s just as likely that Less of Everything will be part of the larger equation for cracking this EP. Similarly, a tight eleven minute runtime means that it takes a more careful ear to really suss out the layers of nuance and pockets of rich variety. These two bits together mean Es demand a certain commitment to listeners, and while it can pay off, it takes a certain framework when approaching this EP. In fact, it almost feels like the EP's tailored in a way to weed out anyone who can't play ball. Sure, that further speaks to its core magic, but it also means that this slice of Fantasy may go unfulfilled for some folks.
At the end of the day, album titles are gimmicks meant to encapsulate emotions and ideas bigger than ourselves. In that way, they're only a guessing game of sorts; a way to make manageable the truly otherworldly. So, take everything with a grain of salt, and that includes Fantasy. Is there magic to be found? Absolutely — punk gems that blur time, genre, sentiments, etc. into a poignant experience, but it's also just an EP, and Es are a solid band working out ideas in the imperfect crawl of real-time.
Let both the ups and downs come together as one, and inform the true feat of this project: great music that does its best to touch you, and even with its shortcomings feels like a rush of much-needed sonic wizardry.