EP Review: Peaness – Are You Sure
Are You Sure
Released 5th May 2017
Words: Leander Hobbs
Described as infectious and sugar-coated indie-pop Peaness (think about it!) new EP, Are You Sure? released on 5th May 2017 via Alcopop! Records, is saccharine sunshine at its best. The Chester-based, all-girl trio has created an upbeat and infuriatingly catchy collection of songs with killer hooks, sassy vocals and a strong bass that pushes each track towards a satisfying conclusion. OK so the lyrics aren’t going to win any prizes for depth or originality but with tracks like Ugly Veg and Skin Surfing nesting in your ear for the day (from experience trust me) the EP will have you singing so loud that you won’t even notice the more cliched rhyming couplets.
Peaness aka Rach, Balla and Jess are certainly a lot of fun; ironic given their first EP, self-released on cassette in 2015 was called No Fun. No Fun established the girls as pop princesses with bite – think Sleater Kinney and The Julie Ruin – and if you are a fan you’re certainly not going to be disappointed with this new offering. Are You Sure? Absolutely. The song writing is once again a mix of wise cracks, cheeky winks and whimsical holiday motifs like Seafoam Islands, which practically screams at you to slather on the sun tan lotion – in March! In fact the whole EP feels like summer might just be around the corner and for that I am truly thankful because let’s face it, winter sucks.
Aside from the gorgeous music, what is really impressive about Peaness is that their popularity has largely been home grown (no legume puns I promise). This organic growth, without heavy-handed management and overly-zealous producers has allowed Peaness’ music to develop in both skill and articulation without losing the sense of innocence that captured our hearts when they first burst onto the DIY market. This EP therefore still feels true to the band’s original mission: to make music that they enjoy.
Peaness then is as fun and tongue in cheek as the name suggests and whilst sugar-coated doesn’t really do the girls justice, with a host of festivals planned in 2017 there’s plenty of opportunity to get your sugar fix.
Find Peaness on Facebook
LIVE
23/03/2017 – CHESTER // HOME HEADLINE SHOW @ Alexander’s
21/04/2017 – CARDIFF // Supporting THE BIG MOON @ Clwb Ifor Bach
22/04/2017 – MANCHESTER // Record Store Day Event @ Soup Kitchen
30/04/2017 – LIVERPOOL // FestEvol @ Invisible Wind Factory
13/05/2017 – WREXHAM // FOCUS WALES FESTIVAL @ Central Station
23/06/2017 – CHESTER // Chester Live Fest @ Telfords Warehouse
09/07/2017 – CHELTENHAM // 2000 TREES FESTIVAL
23/07/2017 – OXFORDSHIRE // TRUCK FESTIVAL
29/07/2017 – DERBYSHIRE // INDIETRACKS FESTIVAL
Listen to Seafoam Islands here:
