EP Review: The Von Tramps – Sun’s Out: Strung Out!

“Sun’s Out: Strung Out!” is the recently released EP from The Von Tramps, their latest recording is centred around the concept of a lacklustre summer love affair that, appropriately enough is launched by the title track to “Sun’s Out: Strung Out!“, the sound of rolling oceans is swiftly drowned out with a reverb heavy hit of surf punk and some fine vocal work, in less than a minute I am already falling under The Von Tramps spell. “Summer Nights” is a ska influenced track where the laid back verse just easily rolls into the summery punk storm of the chorus, this essential element of any doomed holiday romance song leads you into “L.A.” a track that begins like a torch song but swiftly becomes a skittering punkabilly classic.

The second half the EP indicates a shift into darker territory, starting with “Mexicola“, a song that returns to the reverb heavy dark rock ‘n roll sound that opened “Sun’s Out: Strung Out!“, and the mariachi tinged ska punk of “Shark Bait” that follows in its wake and brings a truly irresistible chorus to the party. The final track “Waves” rolls in and brings an another element, this is slower darker and hints more towards post punk, but as it slowly builds in intensity you find yourself pulled along before the track gently fades leaving you with only the sound of rolling surf.

Every track on “Sun’s Out: Strung Out!” is perfectly pitched and flawlessly produced by by Dustin Phillips (the drummer of The Ataris) and just folds into narrative of the EP. This is the soundtrack to the rest of your summer, six perfect tracks that I have fallen in love with, although there will be nothing lacklustre about this affair. With “Sun’s Out: Strung Out!” The Von Tramps have released a truly stunning EP, the fact that there is a concept around the EP is easily forgotten but over time it will bring another element to what is a unique and flawless EP

“Sun’s Out: Strung Out!” can be streamed and purchased via Bandcamp here

The Von Tramps website can be found here