Nottingham-rooted alternative outfit Express Office Portico cemented their name on the scene with the release of their debut EP ‘Incommunicado’. The five track counting EP is a subtly groovy collection of impressively crafted songs!
‘No One’ is the soothing and subtly funky opener of the EP playing around with elements of funk, pop, and rock. On the EP they explore the inability to communicate with and fully understand the world we live in amidst a backdrop drenched in summery indie synth pop. Hazy vocal harmonies and warm, unhurried soundscapes make for delicious treats of indie sounds.
Theirs is a refreshingly soulful and engaging sound, and on both first two singles of the EP they demonstrate a feeling that despite everything we do, there is always the lasting feeling of things not working out. Though a slightly dreary narrative, the EP still sounds rather uplifting and gives us the feeling we aren’t alone in our humanly struggles. On ‘He Said She Said’ we hear even more sun shining through, though its lyrics talk about passionate arguments, and soft single ‘Guillotine’ talks about isolation.
Express Office Portico are clearly good at packaging though material in a nicely wrapped package with a bow on top. The band and their refined and confident sound shine on ‘Incommunicado’ and showcase their craft without arrogance, although a little bit of it wouldn’t be misplaced. Its closing track, ‘Are You Yourself?’ shows more of their signature sound and lets their singer’s vocals shine most. This supportive piece of alternative synth pop pushes boundaries and made me truly fall for Express Office Portico.
While the EP holds this rather solemn theme of seclusion throughout, the lyrics inside each track attempt to challenge this sense of hopelessness to the world, and bittersweetly chips away at the idea that self-isolation and preservation is the solution to overcoming deeply held pain.
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