EP Review: Hayley And The Crushers – Jacaranda

Hot on the heels of their superb full length “Vintage Millennial” Californian surf punks Hayley And The Crushers are bringing more fun, sun and soda pop sass to a world that truly needs a pick-me-up. The band’s new two track EP “Jacaranda” is set to be released on June 2nd and will be available in three limited edition vinyl colors, pink, green and black, courtesy of Reta Records in North America and Surfin Ki Records in Europe, as well as the usual download and digital sources. The trio of front woman Hayley Crusher Cain, bassist Dr. Cain and drummer Dougie Tangent, who also keeps the beat for The Putz and Devious Ones, are set to deliver two more tracks that combine a new wave pop sensibility with some garage and punk grunt.

 

First up, let’s get the elephant out of the room, Hayley Crusher Cain‘s vocals are a dead ringer for Belinda Carlisle, not the over produced pop years but those glorious albums she recorded with The Go-Go’s, so if if you’re a fan of that much missed band then you don’t need to read any further, just skip to the bottom of the review and order this. The “Jacaranda” EP’s title track is a perfect three minutes of overdriven summery melodic punk, a track that was inspired by the band heading out on the road for a hundred day tour of the USA as the Jacaranda trees were in full bloom. On the flip side you get “Angelyne“, a song that pays tribute to the 80’s Billboard queen and former member of punk band Baby Blue. “Angelyne” is harder hitting than its predecessor but keeps the same perfect balance of summery new wave and melodic punk rock.

 

The “Jacaranda” EP is a perfect summer single, two tracks just made for sunny days with the top down, or for most of us with the windows open, yes there are obvious comparisons in their sound to The Go-Go’s, but speaking as fan of that band this isn’t a bad thing, and vocal similarities aside Hayley And The Crushers aren’t just recreating something from the past. On their three previous full lengths, and their numerous singles and EP’s, they have maintained this perfect balance of punk, garage and new wave, and the “Jacaranda” EP is no exception. Hayley And The Crushers are bringing some much needed to sparkle to lockdown with their latest EP, either track would happily stand alone as a single and I doubt you’ll find a finer six minutes this summer. 

 

The “Jacaranda” EP can be pre-ordered here (North America) and here (Europe)