Hunter Hunted

Surprises don't come any better than this. Hunter Hunted, the eponymous debut EP from the California band is a gold mine just waiting to be found. The EP opens with the airy, seamless and dazzling "Operating." A synth-laden wash of affecting vocals, dizzying atmospherics and a ringing wordless chorus, the song is arguably one of 2013's best. "Keep Together" is jittery, buzzing and bubbly. There's a sense of fractious energy, excitement and anxiety in every passing second and its those three emotions that keep the song and the EP pushing forward. The rousing choruses continue on the 80s infused "End of the World," arguably one of the EP's deeper cuts. Ostensibly a song about Armageddon it a synth-driven delight and another notch on the belt of a band whose ascent to magazine covers seems inevitable. After four hip-shaking choruses, Hunter Hunted goes for it all on the slow-building "Dora Maar," an effort at restraint that does very little wrong. If anything the song proves that the group is adept at layered introspection and has more depth than just winning choruses. The band returns to danceable euphoria on the bobbing "Gentle Folks," a song that seems ripe for movie trailers and TV commercials. In just five songs, Hunter Hunted have crafted an absorbing, intoxicating and utterly infectious EP. Moreover, it seems almost implausible to think that this album will not get noticed or passed around. There's just something sun-drenched, enveloping and buoyant about every song. If this EP doesn't get you moving, then your heart is cold and black.