The Touques (apparently pronounced "two-ks") have managed to rush out two EPs and two LPs in two years, maybe trying to stay true to the trio's name's pronunciation by the time this latest effort dropped in September. It's a five-song, self-titled EP that bears some mildly eccentric but more so promising indie pop.

Weathering a Beatles influence on the up-tempo, groove-laden opener "4" much the same way Portugal. The Man might (a comparison that becomes entirely evident at the :37 mark), it's the first of a few interestingly varying similarities at hand. Some are probably intentional, others unlikely so: The main lead riff in "Roy Stampler" is this reverb-drenched, prickly one that sounds identical to something Long Island's Robbers might come up with, notably on their Ugly Savy EP (does that help anyone? Probably not). The song begins to lay on some atmospheric distortion as it goes on, developing into a mostly instrumental, lighthearted jam session of sorts.

One of the guys in the band has this vocal delivery in these songs, however, that's definitely forced and kinda goofy, loosening up the solidarity of any mood that might be trying to develop. If there's a tangible, major weakness to be had, it's there, and it's especially evident in "HRPM." Closer "Goodbye Monsieur" meanders for much of its six minutes too and even then it ends in an awkwardly abrupt fashion.

There's an interesting soundscape and texture here overall, though, and if the Touques develop their songwriting a little more from this point the songs are likely to make a better, more well-rounded impact.

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The Touques EP

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The Touques EP