No Age: Losing Feeling EP

Encompassing just about fourteen minutes in all, the 'Losing Feeling EP' certainly doesn't seem like a release to take notice off to the normal passer-by or, even, to the casual No Age listener.

Four tracks, all within the three minute mark and with names that show nothing in way of sound or descriptive measure, the EP (apart from it's rather attractive front) shows no sign of the brief blast of gratification that is actually hidden away underneath that strange, melting artwork.

We begin with introductory and title track Losing Feeling. Warped, under-water guitars and a suppressed drum thump discordantly together atop strange samples and hollowed out background noise. The last minute kicks into straight No Age rock-insanity but it's the first two minutes that impress us most. Something slightly new seems to be a-foot.

Genie follows, slowing the experimentalism down to just a fuzzy, simple riff and melancholic vocals but it's more the successive and third track Aim At The Airport that shows the pair at their most exploratory within the brief time we're given. It's mostly just a mix of ambience and a contrapuntal electric fuzz that wavers melodically in and out. It doesn't sound like much on paper but it's the Sigur Rós-like atmosphere and warm hypnotic glow that entices and grips most.

They finish it all off with last-minute dash You're A Target and it's No Age doing what they've always done well; rocking the hell out. Lightning quick pacing, an abrasive, skin-slamming heartbeat and tinny production isn't necessarily for everyone but it quells our need for the loud and the cathartic rather smoothly.

Though it's too short, too unsure of the way forward and probably too small of a release to warrant a huge, knees to the ground praising of the Gods, it has to be said that if you like the band or just enjoy well-made, experimental rock and are in need of a quick, miniature dose to the brain then look no further.

Admittedly, it's probably closer to a seven than a six out-of-ten but our reasoning is this; in two months time, we doubt we'll still be blasting it from our speakers and to be honest, we doubt you will be too. It's a great little release for now but longevity wise, it doesn't stand a chance against the other releases of the year.