It’s easy to get hung up on looking for NEW and ORIGINAL music. Next big things in sharp suits, who walk it like they talk it. Hello The Strokes. But then on the other hand you have bands who just play great pop with minimal effort, don’t pretend they’re breaking back the boundaries of music, and don’t sound like the Velvet Fucking Underground. Hello Nibushi Shang Hong.

The EP’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it opener leads into ‘Aqualung’, which drifts along quite nicely thank you and is the standout track here. ‘Before Tomorrow’ creeps dangerously close to The Supernaturals’ cheesily cheerful Britpop, and Fantastic Plastic-signed band Aerial (who in turn sound like Fountains Of Wayne. Er…), while ‘Song In 3 Parts’ is already familiar from the land of MP3 and the much self-hyped ‘Smoke’ compilation album, showcasing the band’s knack for Supergrass-flavoured power pop (or even the band’s knack for The Knack-flavoured power pop).

It’s early days yet but as it stands, this is a fine, fine debut. Nice artwork too.

Email thehong@nibushishanghong.com to find out how to purchase a copy.