EP Review: Borts – EP1

Freshly signed to Lockjaw Records, Borts are getting down to business with the release of their imaginatively titled “EP1” earlier this month, I’m guessing there might be an an “EP2” in the not too distant future. Out of curiosity I looked up what the band’s name might mean, the only references I could find where to the band itself and to some strips of air dried meat popular with the nomadic tribes of Mongolia, so I’m none the wiser on that front. So after establishing that names are clearly not the band’s strongpoint, it’s onto the EP itself, musically what Borts do have in spades is an ability to surprise you, on every single cut on their debut EP.

‘The Nurse’ is an odd choice for lead single and opening track for Borts debut EP, this acoustic, almost summery, track is a pleasant indie twist that harks back to Supergrass in their prime, this might be explained as the song is dedicated to ‘The Nurse‘ who took of care of one of Borts after he broke his collarbone doing ill advised backflips on a beach after a NOFX gig, presumably in the summer, but you never know. ‘Like, Music Again‘ takes ‘EP1‘ off into the melodic driven punk rock that is delivered with an anthemic indie twist before ‘Welcome Break‘ hits you with a frantic 70 seconds that keeps the infectious life affirming energy flowing. The EP’s swan song ‘Broke Alone‘ is Borts sign off and the perfect end to an impressive and unexpected EP.

“EP1” is a release that builds pretty swiftly in intensity across the EP’s brief run time, Borts deliver the kind of indie influenced joyous punk rock that TV Coma have been making a name for themselves with. The decision to make ‘The Nurse‘ the lead single gives you the impression that Borts are doing what they like and doing it how they like. The four tracks of indie punk on display increasingly veer into the latter half of that coupling as the EP progresses, but it always seem to retain a positive attitude, even when this is at odds with the lyrical content. Borts debut release is one that is unexpected and unpredictable, something that makes me want to hear what “EP2” will have to offer.

“EP1” is now available via digital service providers including Bandcamp.