Crooked Cranes are rather adamant about their underlying ethos: “we don’t take ourselves too seriously”, they fiercely declare. Perhaps that’s why their latest EP takes the playful title of ‘This is Only a Test’. Yet, the music feels real and striking. Rowdy and euphoric, the EP is light and uplifting, certainly not a product of deep reflections or heavy themes. It’s perhaps a quality: sometimes, it’s good to just vibe to the distorted sound of a guitar.
Part indie, part punk and part rock’n’roll, Crooked Cranes have done a great job of threading very carefully around their influences. ‘GF’ introduces the record with important fuzziness, driving rhythms and hearty, raw vocals. The subsequent storytelling is curious and at times absurd, nothing overly cathartic or personal. ‘Mehico’ is way more controlled and cheerful, embracing cleaner tones and a certain surf-rock imprint.
Speaking about the circumstances behind the record, Crooked Cranes explain: “These songs were crafted in the basement over drinks and smoke with buddies. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, and that ethos can be heard in our tracks. The EP was recorded entirely in the same basement that we lost our virginities in and countless brain cells as we partied through high school to adulthood.”
Recommended! Discover ‘This is Only a Test’ on Spotify: