With indie music in its current state of mass homogenisation and “too cool to care” fronts, a band like Glasgow’s The Pooches are a welcome breath of fresh air. New EP ‘Heart Attack’ has all the features that great indie music should – it’s catchy, it’s ever so slightly awkward, but it’s a really strong little listen.

And let’s make this clear, by indie, that doesn’t mean that it sounds like The Vaccines or the ilk. This is indie direct from its ’80s heyday – there are bits of Squeeze, Teenage Fanclub and even The Smiths peppered throughout these four tracks. It gives The Pooches that jangle and skip that most bands try and emulate, but few do it this well.

Then there are the actual songs, and with none passing two-and-a-half minutes, they may breeze by but their gentleness is certainly memorable. ‘Rhythm Of The Rain’ is a lovely little pop song that floats by in less than two minutes, while ‘Pierre’ and ‘Crabhammer’ skip and scuttle along with featherweight guitar lines.

It feels as though in these four tracks, The Pooches have crafted a suitable distillation of each element of their sound, but does each one justice. It’s not the most potent or immediate listen, but in terms of songwriting and harking back to the past without being contrived or boring, it’s impeccable.

3.5/5

‘Heart Attack’ by The Pooches is released on 29th January on Lame-O Records

The Pooches links: Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp

Words by Luke Nuttall(@nuttall_luke)