EP REVIEW: the lovehate mixtape – snake eyes
Following on from last year’s self-produced debut EP skeletons, gritty pop trio SNAKE EYES are back with the lovehate mixtape, described by vocalist and guitarist Jim Heffy as a mix of “sorta like love songs and others not so much.” With Heffy joined as ever by bassist and vocalist Nicole Gill and drummer Thomas Coe-Brooke, as well as producers James Simpson and Dan Coutant this time around, they’ve cooked up 14 songs split into two halves, the first side of which was released back in October. Now, with side b (hate) arriving on November 19th, how does the record hold up as a whole?
(small talk) gives us a 30-second introduction in which the band members discuss the idea making a mixtape, because they’ve “already done an EP, and don’t want to put out an album yet.” The lighthearted banter between the band as they joke about giving the mixtape to a significant other is quite sweet and a fun way to introduce the mixtape. After that, they lean into grunge on the first proper song, dig, and it’s clear (small talk) was definitely a calm before the storm. This song is full of infectious energy that channels BLUR and NIRVANA, while also feeling like SNAKE EYES‘ own.
There are fun little interludes between the tracks, and (the real take) is just a little taste of a studio session where Gill got a note wrong. Most bands would not include these interludes, and some might view it as a waste of mixtape time, but SNAKE EYES are just having a good time. happy pills is another grunge-influenced song. It leans more into self-destruction, with sad lyrics which conflict with the happy-go-lucky tune.
The only issue about the songs is that they are very short, so therefore it all seems to go by quickly. Obviously, not all the songs have to be ten-minute masterpieces, but it does seem to speed through if you’re listening to it, which means you don’t have time to take it all in. hello stranger is a great example of this. It is a noisy riot of punk that is “about bumping into someone you used to be with and how weird that can be“, according to Heffy. The song annoyingly finishes just as it is about to get interesting, leaving a lot to be desired.
The production on the album is absolutely fantastic. Simpson is a star at production, and makes the interludes sound interesting, while Coutant does a great job of mastering the record. The smooth transition from (alien punx) to another world is a stand-out. Unfortunately, the pacing of the EP is a bit all over the place. With its two distinct sides, there is a clear structure, but the interludes, which were a fun little insight into the band’s lives at first, become tedious and grating. scuttlebug is the longest song on EP, but it’s not the best. It’s a great example of the weird pacing of the record, starting off with heavy rock before awkwardly shoving itself into the pop box by the time the second verse kicks in. The pacing is enough to give you whiplash.
The EP slogs its way to the finish line, with a weird interlude and some generally good songs. big deal is a nod in the right direction, smoothly handling the change in genre as it skittles from rock to pop-punk. It is a shame that it is a rarity on the EP, as it is the band at their very best.
Ultimately, the lovehate mixtape is a question of love it or hate it. It starts off promising, as the band embrace their grungy side before throwing it to the wind. The pacing is all over the place and the genres do not mix well together, despite the talented producer behind the record. On the other hand, SNAKE EYES sound like they’re having a blast, as they come across as charismatic on this EP. They are just starting out after all, and obviously haven’t figured out their sound yet. There are hints of potential here, just not all the time.
Rating: 5/10
the lovehate mixtape is set for release on November 19th via Killing Moon Records.
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