I was impressed with the work that Whistlejacket management have gone to in producing a very stylistic press package. It's not often I get any info on the reviewed band but these guys had a full press kit which used strong alternate imaginary to represent the band. Nice work.
Whistlejacket threw around a few genre classifications for their tunes, but in a nutshell this is straight electropop. The songs are well constructed and this will fit somewhere between George and ZM formats. With the bands impressive resume they will be sure to get some profiling.
The four tune EP features one remix. The songs are relatively diverse in texture for a pop record. Some of the drum programming I found to be less than liquid and a little jarring at times, but I am sure their demographic will be none the wiser.
This is a great start for a new band and they have done a great job producing a complete package so early on in their career. I think that the most interesting thing about these guys is where they will be in a couple of albums time. They clearly have solid production and song writing skills but I feel that they have written for a demographic instead of experimenting with something fresh and from their electronica beating hearts. Be nice to hear something that they haven't written specifically for a youth radio market cause that's where I think their true talents will come out.
Saying all this, it's a great little pop EP with heaps of potential. It's got some nice vocal hooks and the arrangements are well constructed. If you are into The Naked and Famous, and really anything else ZM are playing at the moment you will get ya groove onto this little number.
My soundbite for The Year of the Horse is "A catchy electronica driven pop EP that has some tasteful and well orchestrated radio friendly hooks". Keep the tunes rolling guys, I look forward to hearing what you bring to the table in the future.