Exquisite Scottish indie pop outfit Strawberry Whiplash—aka Laz and Sandra McCluskey (also of Bubblegum Lemonade)—are gearing up for a new full-length later this year, tentatively titled People Like Us. But first things first: there’s a new four-song EP to enjoy, and at least one track will carry over to the album. At The End Of The Day is peak Strawberry Whiplash—a lovingly strummed 12-string guitar pop gem, complete with warm, nostalgic vocals and what sounds like a touch of glockenspiel. Escher Sunday seems inspired by the artist himself, with a looping chord progression that offers no escape, not that you’d want one. With Beautiful Losers, the band shifts gears slightly, inviting you to move around a bit. They close with an acoustic version of their ‘00s underground hit Picture Perfect—a sweet, stripped-down callback. Four reasons to stop what you're doing and sigh happily. The EP is out now digitally via Matinée Recordings. —Add To Wantlist
Strawberry Whiplash - At The End Of The Day EP
Strawberry Whiplash - At The End Of The Day EP
Scottish favorites Strawberry Whiplash return to the new release rack with the brand new four song ‘At The End Of The Day’ EP.
The title track—the second single lifted from a forthcoming new album ‘People Like Us’—is an instantly loveable smash with a stop/start chorus and beautiful interaction between the vocals and 12 string guitars.
The EP includes three additional tracks that are exclusive to this release: ‘Escher Sunday’ is a relaxed gem that repeats a seemingly always descending chord sequence not unlike the optical illusions of the artist, while ‘Beautiful Losers' is an infectious indie disco stomp and ‘Picture Perfect’ is an acoustic version of one of Strawberry Whiplash’s most popular tracks recently discovered on an old hard drive.
The 12-track 'People Like Us' album is coming along nicely and on track for release later this year!
- At The End Of The Day
- Escher Sunday
- Beautiful Losers
- Picture Perfect (acoustic)
reviews
The new EP from Strawberry Whiplash is a four track indie festival in its own right. The title track, which is taken from their forthcoming album People Like Us, is a guaranteed ear worm that encapsulates indiepop over the past four decades thanks to both the catchy guitars and vocals. The EP also features three non-album tracks too including an acoustic version of 2009’s Picture Perfect single as well as the laid back new track Escher Sunday. However the highlight for me is Beautiful Losers which is strong enough to stand as a single in it’s own right which makes me wonder how strong the material on the album is! The label describes it as an “infectious indie disco stomp” and they ain’t wrong there. It’s a retro sounding danceable one for sure. The At The End Of The Day EP is out now via Matinée Recordings. —Records I Like
If you are on the hunt for songs that you’ll want stuck in your head, I have a feeling you’re going to be in the right place today, especially when you click on this new Strawberry Whiplash tune. It’s another single from their forthcoming LP, which is still being mixed and such, but boy, if you don’t love this tune I don’t know what to tell you. You’d probably lump it in with modern indiepop, but there’s also something nostalgic and Sarah-esque about this ditty; I think Laz’s penchant for clean pop sounds perhaps just makes it a little more pop forward, which I promise you I love just as much. No word when the LP will be polished and ready, but this song has some other tracks attached, courtesy of Matinée Recordings. —Austin Town Hall
You know Scottish pop songwriter Lawrence "Laz" McCluskey from his other band, Bubblegum Lemonade. This is his side-project from BL (if I have my facts straight), where Laz plays all the instruments and the mysterious Sandra is on vocals. They've got a full-length coming out later in the year, so this EP has the title track and 3 unreleased tracks. The title track is a relaxed pop gem that's an earworm if ever I heard one, while "Escher Sunday" and "Beautiful Losers" are even more casual, melodic pop tunes with nice, ringing melodies. The final cut, "Picture Perfect," is an acoustic version of one of the band's earlier songs and is worth your time as well. Musically, you must buy all things Scottish which means buy this EP! —Dagger
