Vienna Ditto’s ‘Liar Liar’ EP is my introduction to the band, and this contrary and ebullient collection has me much impressed. First track ‘Liar Liar’ is a percussive, Latin-tinged, gothic, White-Stripes-meets-Siouxsie-&-the-Banshees-esque, rockabilly gospel stomper! It’s a rhythmically inventive, brilliantly sung track, opening the EP in impressive fashion.

‘The Undefeated’, a gothic-tinged country blues lament, has beautiful subtle musical flourishes, laying a soulful musical blanket for the wondrous vibrato vocal and biting lyrics. A surprising Portishead-style breakbeat – aka ‘Machine Gun’ – drops in towards the end of the track, before it settles back down into super-dope mellowness. Classy stuff.

‘Whatever Comes My Way’ continues on the country blues tip, with an excellent arrangement and lyrics full of tender defiance. The crazy cool EP closes with the bruised melancholia of ‘Little Fingers’, a mellow John Barry-esque sound, reminiscent of Bristol songsmiths Alpha; all tremolo guitars, timeless keys and shuffling breakbeats.

All four tracks are affecting, emotive composistions, with the lyrics placed front and centre of interesting and subtle productions. A poignant start for a promising adventure.