If you're a synthpop fan, this EP is for you. James Cronin has a solid and well documented history of playing around with analogue synths and vintage music technology, and he is himself an accomplished musician. So it's no surprise his main musical project, Envelope Generator, has come of age. From every possible angle you see it, this EP is faultless. The songs, the lyrics, the chord structures, the melodies, the sounds, the production, the artwork. Yes, there's the nagging feeling you've heard it all before (starter Emasculine might well have been a Human League single), but the same can be argued of Artic Monkeys or The Strokes. Besides, it's clear James has put a lot of thought and effort into the songs, rather than just blindly carbon copying vintage technopop acts. The lyrics are smart and funny, production choices say much about the brains behind the operation, and the overall result is clearly the sign of a pro at work. I, for one, am completely in awe of this EP and cannot wait to hear more from Mr Cronin and his musical endeavours - side project Powderpaint is well worth checking out too.
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