EP Review: Exit Kid – Garden EP

The duo of Emre Türkmen and Dylan Bell that make up Exit Kid have released a new EP – Garden EP

Speaking ahead of the EP’s arrival, Türkmen explained:

“Modern life is rubbish, we all know this. Isolation is part of the deal. This EP was mostly written during lockdown with haste, humour and anger in equal measure. The second of which we all need right now.”

A mellow start with ‘Hell In A Handcart’ with sweet falsetto vocals that quickly descends into the duos signature scratchy style. A style that the guys carry into, ‘Bleary Eyed’. There is a Graham Coxon feel to the track especially with the slightly overdriven shouty vocals. The track attacks the ineptitude of government with an anger that is part humorous at the unbelievable situation we have landed in.

The shoe gazing ‘Dear Rose’ is heavy with its picked out almost gothic feel to the guitar and vocals. But it builds into something that is mature and really shows off the breadth of these guys songwriting talents. The melodic charm is well wrapped in over the top cymbal crashing and reverbed vocals.

This well controlled noise seems to be a something the boys have down to a tee as they deploy it on the grunge sounding verses of ‘Working Stiff’. Theres moments on this record where they seem to lose all control before reigning it all in for some glorious melodic moments that show a maturity to their songwriting.

EP closer, ‘The Garden’ pairs big rock acoustic balladry with indie vocals and impressive guitar work. Wait till the guitar solo takes off. ‘The Garden’ also shows off the fine production that takes these tracks from simple fuzz pop to an EP full of fine craftsmanship. There is serious talent on display here, in the writing and playing. Evident in tracks like ‘Dear Rose’ and ‘The Garden’ from the first listen, but listen carefully to the noisey moments on this EP and you hear how well arranged the tracks are. The use of loud and quiet elements and harsh and soft instrumentation lift this EP from the everyday grunge to something a little bit special.

It’s nice to be in a world where a band like Exit Kid choose to make music.

Check out the video for ‘Dear Rose’, below: