Changing names after making a few waves can sometimes be an uphill struggle, but the-band-formerly-known-as Rig Up Explosive have now hopefully passed the summit of shaking away the old moniker with a second EP that further completes their reinvention from ‘techy band with pop bits’, to ‘pop band with techy bits’. On paper, it’s a subtle semantic change, but on record it makes all the difference.
The clearing of the throat that ‘Decisions’ delivered has been followed up in ‘Scavengers’ after barely a gasp for air between releases, and with a bit of a justice it should keep the band sitting rather closely near the top of more than a few ‘must explode’ lists.
Blitz Kids are just one of those bands that are bursting with great ideas, and this five strong blast of well executed dark pop melodies and intricate guitar/bass work contains more than a few of them. As a highlight, I’d have to say ‘Scavengers’ really hits a crescendo at ‘In Each Other’s Arms’ halfway through. It’s arguably their best work to date (under any guise) and the chorus is huge.
There’s loads here to draw in new fans and retain ones alike here, and with an album in the works and a positive correlation between the maturity of the band and quality of their output, it’s hard to shake off the feeling that they’re going to have a very good 12 months.